2018-2019 Winter Outlook

Above Average Temperatures for Most Today; Winter Weather Returns to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Well above average temperatures are forecast today into Wednesday over most of the lower 48 states away from the Gulf Coast. A storm system passing across southern Canada will bring a wintry mix to the upper Great Lakes today. A trailing cold front will then bring the wintry mix from the central Appalachians through the Northeast U.S. Wednesday and Thursday. Read More >

Bottom Line for the Local Area...

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) forecast for the upcoming winter months of December-February:

Temperatures: Warmer-than-normal is slightly favored. This is due to a developing weak El Niño.

Precipitation: Drier than normal very slightly favored over the Great Lakes. It should be noted, however, while there is a tendency toward dry during weak El Niños, there has also been a wet trend over the past 15 winters in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

The temperature and precipitation outlook images are below:

Winter Temperature Outlook

Winter Precipitation Outlook

Here is a link to the Official Winter Outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Climate Prediction Center: