El Niño to bring warmer, wetter winter to Carolinas

CHARLOTTE — NOAA has released its winter weather outlook for the upcoming season, forecasting a warmer and wetter winter for the Carolinas.

The outlook is heavily influenced by the strong El Niño pattern that started earlier this year. This pattern, which has hampered tropical activity in the Atlantic this summer, also tends to amplify the Pacific jet stream over the winter.

This pattern can contribute to the warmer and wetter winter NOAA is forecasting for the Southeast.

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The forecast calls for above-normal temperatures for December, January and February across the northern tier of the United States, the Northeast and the Carolinas.

Above-normal precipitation is likely along the East Coast and across the southern half of the United States. This trend is also optimistic for improvements in drought conditions across the Southeast. Drier-than-normal conditions are expected for much of Montana and the Great Lakes region.

After a record-breaking season last winter with multiple snowstorms in the Carolinas, this season’s trend isn’t as optimistic for snow lovers. However, that doesn’t mean snow is impossible. If we’re able to get cold air to line up with a storm system at the right time, we could possibly see some snow.

Severe Weather Team 9 will stay on top of the forecast all season long.

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