How will SC winter weather be impacted by La Niña this season? See new NOAA forecast
South Carolina will be warmer and drier than normal this winter if La Niña has its way, a new NOAA forecast predicts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 90-day-outlook on Thursday. The report provides a general outlook for weather in November, December and January across the U.S.
The report notes that La Niña will be the main driver for the weather in the winter forecast. The atmospheric phenomenon returns for its third consecutive winter, NOAA states.
According to the forecast, South Carolina and the rest of the Southeast have a 33% to 50% chance of above normal temperatures this winter.
Conversely, the Palmetto State has a 33% to 50% chance of below normal rainfall for the winter.
“Drought development is expected to occur across the South-central and Southeastern U.S.,” the report states.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that parts of South Carolina are already dealing with low-level drought conditions.
NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and total precipitation amounts will be above-, near- or below-average, and how drought conditions are anticipated to change. The outlooks don’t predict seasonal snowfall since such forecasts are generally unpredictable more than a week in advance, NOAA states.
Beyond South Carolina, NOAA predicts extra rain and snow for the Pacific Northwest. Also, La Niña could cause even drier conditions for the already drought-stricken Southwest this winter. Most of the rest of the U.S. currently has better chances of a warmer winter, as well as equal chances of having above average or below average rainfall.
This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
