SPOKANE, Wash.– NOAA released its official winter forecast for the United States on X, and it’s an optimistic one for the drought-stricken Inland Northwest.
The winter outlook leans towards above-normal precipitation for December through February in Washington and Idaho. It also leans toward colder-than-normal conditions for the Inland Northwest. Keep in mind that the odds of this happening are only 7 to 17 percent more likely than an average winter this year.
NOAA says that La Niña, which has just developed in the East Pacific Ocean, will play a role in our weather this winter. La Niña tends to bring cooler, wetter, and snowier winters to the Inland Northwest. However, the strength and duration of this La Niña is still in question, and it is possible it could dissipate before winter is over.
The outlook also forecasts improvement in drought conditions across our region in the coming months, but stops short of predicting that we will eliminate the drought by spring.
The forecast comes from scientists at the U.S. Climate Prediction Center, which is a division of the National Weather Service. The NWS remains operational as an essential public service during the federal government shutdown while employees work without pay.
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