“Most of the lower 48 just experienced one of the warmest winters on record” – Mike Halpert, CPC Deputy Director
With winter winding down across the majority of the United States (except the northeast), NOAA has released its Spring Outlook and it looks as though summer might be making an early appearance this year.
Related: Models Indicate 50% Chance Of El Niño Returning This Fall
In their latest video update, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center deputy director, Mike Halpert is predicting that the warm winter will likely give way to a warmer than normal spring with high temps and below average snowfall for most of the high elevation regions of the west.
Spring snow showers will be few and far between with the exception of northern Idaho and Montana. That precipitation along with a bountiful snowpack will lead to some serious high-water and flooding in Idaho, Montana, and western Wyoming.
Spring Snowfall Favorites:
- Northern Montana
- Tetons
- Idaho
California Drought Update:
After historic snowfalls, California’s drought has largely subsided and is set up for its first drought free summer since 2011.
“According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, issued today, the geographic extent of drought in the state dropped from 73 percent three months ago to eight percent this week, due to near-record precipitation from a series of powerful winter storms.” – NOAA
Look for the rivers in California to make a huge comeback with fisherman and boaters stoked on the ridiculous snowpack in the high Sierra.
NOAA Spring Outlook
NOAA Release
Temperature and Precipitation Outlook:
For April through June, above-average temperatures are favored for a large area stretching from the Southwest eastward to include the central and southern Plains, Great Lakes, Southeast and Northeast. Most of Alaska and Hawaii are also favored to see above-average temperatures. The greatest odds for above-normal temperatures include the south-central Plains and eastern U.S. No areas in the U.S. are favored to see below-average temperatures this spring.
For precipitation, odds favor wetter-than-average conditions for the northern Rockies, northern Plains and along the Gulf Coast from Texas to the western Florida Panhandle. Below-average precipitation is favored for the western half of Alaska and eastern Hawaii during April through June.
Find the entire NOAA flood, temp, and precip outlook here: Warmer-than-average temperatures favored in much of U.S. this spring
