2018-2019 Winter Outlook

Dangerous Heat and Heavy Rainfall into the Weekend

Hot temperatures and high humidity are forecast to continue across the mid-Mississippi Valley into this weekend. Heat Advisories remain in effect. Heavy to excessive rainfall occurring at times through the weekend could bring areas of flooding to parts of the northern Rockies, upper Midwest, central Great Lakes, and southern New England. 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: