NOAA Predicts Wetter Winter for Southern U.S.
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center has released its winter outlook for December 2026 through February 2027, highlighting a wetter-than-average season for the southern United States. The forecast, issued on September 17, 2026, indicates above-normal precipitation for regions including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of the southern Rockies. Meanwhile, the northern Rockies and Great Lakes are expected to experience below-normal precipitation. The temperature outlook suggests warmer-than-average conditions across much of the northern U.S., which could impact snowfall levels in some areas. The forecast is influenced by a strengthening El Niño, which is expected to shift the Pacific storm track southward, potentially bringing more moisture to southern regions.