Alaskans had hoped for a more ‘normal’ winter in terms of snow conditions but a mild La Nina may only bring wetter weather according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.
In a video produced by NOAA, Mike Halpert with the Center says currently the Pacific Ocean is experiencing cooler than average temperatures.
Halpert: “Our forecast builds off of the typical La Nina pattern, with above average temperatures favored across the southern U.S., extending northward into the central Rockies and in Hawaii. Above average temperatures are also favored in western and northern Alaska, and in New England.”
The chances of La Nina patterns means lower than average precipitation across the entire southern U.S. and southern Alaska, but potentially colder temperatures.
Halpert says the weak nature of the predicted La Nina means that the weather patterns could change significantly, and that people should be prepared for any kind of winter no matter the predictions.