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Today, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their 2024-25 winter weather outlook.

With La Niña expected to emerge this winter, above average temperatures are likely for much of the southern and eastern United States. A more northerly storm track during La Niña typically keeps the coldest air further north. In the Mid-South, there is a 33-40% chance of above average temperatures this winter (Dec – Feb). But, extreme cold snaps can still happen, like the one we experienced earlier this year in January.

Since the jet stream is usually farther north during La Niña, that would favor drier than normal weather for the southern United States – particularly from the Desert Southwest to the Gulf Coast. In the Mid-South, there is an equal chance of above or below average precipitation.

Typical set up during a La Niña winter

To summarize the data up, a developing La Niña this winter will favor slightly above normal temperatures in the Mid-South. Precipitation is kind of a toss up for our area, with an equal chance of above or below normal precipitation given our location. Depending on how active the storm track is this winter, a warm and possibly wet pattern is a signal to watch for potential of winter severe weather outbreaks.

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