(Seen here is Huron River Drive in New Boston on Feb. 12, 2016 following a fresh snowfall — Photo by Scott Bolthouse — The Huron Hub)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released their winter prediction for the U.S. today, and it says the northern portion of the country, including Michigan, will likely be “wetter-than-average.”

“Wetter-than-average weather is most likely across the Northern Tier of the U.S. during winter, which extends from December through February,” NOAA said Thursday.

NOAA also says warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for much of the U.S. this winter, and that although below-average temperatures are not favored, cold weather is anticipated and some areas could still experience a colder-than-average winter.

This 2019-20 winter outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average weather is most likely across the northern tier of the U.S. this coming winter. (Images: NOAA)

The 2019-20 winter outlook map for temperature shows warmer-than-average temperatures are likely for much of the U.S. this winter.

NOAA says the outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.

Even during a warmer-than-average winter, periods of cold temperatures and snowfall are expected.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update will be available November 21.

Seasonal outlooks, according to NOAA, help communities prepare for what is likely to come in the months ahead and minimize weather’s impacts on lives and livelihoods.