Forecasters on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration imagine there’s a 75 percent probability that La Niña will stick around through the winter, which can play a big role in who will see snow and which communities might want to keep their gear in storage for an additional yr.
Historical data shows how strong a La Niña is and may determine which parts of the country will probably be subject to abnormal weather conditions.
The state of a La Niña is set by sea surface temperature anomalies within the central and eastern Pacific.
A moderate La Niña has anomalies that range from -1.0 °C to -1.4 °C, and when water temperatures are not less than -1.5 °C below normal, a La Niña is taken into account to be strong.
Depending on whether the La Niña is weak, moderate or strong may have a dramatic effect on snow accumulations, freezing temperatures and all other points that accompany Old Man Winter.
Climate forecast models indicate the 2022-23 La Niña will likely stay within the range of either being weak or moderate through the country’s winter.
Historically, weak La Niñas are likely to produce more dramatic impacts across the country than more moderate events.
During a weak episode, nearly all of country should expect winter temperatures to be at or below average. Precipitation is normally hard to come back by on each coasts, but communities within the Tennessee and Ohio valleys and northern Rockies typically see an uptick in precipitation.
A moderate La Niña tends to steer to warmer weather within the southern half of the country. During these events, freezes are likely to be fewer and farther between within the South. A lot of the country sees either normal or drier-than-average conditions, which ends up in less rain and snowfall. Exceptions include the Tennessee and Ohio valleys, northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. These areas historically have seen above-average precipitation when a moderate La Niña is on top of things.
Here’s a breakdown of the possible winter outcomes for the 2022-23 winter season.
Northeast
La Niña winters are likely to be quite chilly within the region, and precipitation normally becomes a story of the haves and have-nots.
Winter weather enthusiasts have to look no further back than last yr to see the impacts of a considerable La Niña.
Lots of the region’s ski resorts got off to a slow start as a consequence of a scarcity of snowfall, and there have been questions on whether there could be enough powder on the bottom to construct icy sculptures for a Buffalo Bills playoff game in January.
A mid to late-season blitz by Mother Nature helped many communities recuperate from snowfall deficits.
Several winter storms in January and February helped propel cities along the I-95 corridor to complete at or above average for precipitation.
Midwest
A La Niña normally leads to temperatures which can be well below average within the Midwest. Arctic air never seems to stop invading this a part of the country.
Precipitation is determined by one’s exact location, but areas of northern Great Lakes are often within the winter’s goal zone.
A lot of the Midwest tends to miss out on breaking snowfall records during such a climate pattern.
Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Minneapolis normally see their snowiest winters during El Niños.
As a result of its geographic position, Detroit’s snowiest yr got here during what is taken into account a La Nada – or neutral yr when neither an El Niño or La Niña was on top of things.
Southeast
Winters can vary drastically depending on whether a La Niña is taken into account to be weak or moderate in strength.
A stronger La Niña tends to cause warmer temperatures across the Southeast. It’s during these winters that the southern states report fewer freezing temperatures.
Large parts of the Sunshine State can luck out on avoiding a freeze during a moderate or strong La Niña.
When the La Niña is weaker, colder air could make it all over the South and into South Florida.
The freezing temperatures may even be significant enough to threaten the state’s sensitive crops.
A lot of the region stays drier than average during La Niña regimes apart from the Tennessee Valley.
Depending on how weak or strong the La Niña is, parts of the Tennessee Valley normally come out well ahead on precipitation.
As a result of the hotter air that is usually present during these events, studies have found tornado outbreaks are more likely.
“Preliminary research indicates that La Niña corresponds to an especially energetic phase for tornadoes over the Deep South with a comparatively high frequency of cold-season outbreaks of EF2 or stronger tornadoes,” the National Weather Service office in Jackson, Mississippi, said.
The mix of an energetic jet stream, loads of moisture and a clash of air masses helped produce a record-breaking deadly tornado outbreak in December 2021. The outbreak included a rare EF-4 long-track tornado that flatted parts of Mayfield, Kentucky.
A moderate La Niña throughout the winter of 2021 – 2022 caused an especially warm December, with lots of communities that reached the 70s and 80s. Many southern states reported experiencing their warmest December on record.
West
Greater than 94 percent of the West is experiencing drought conditions that range from abnormally dry to exceptional, but for many, a La Niña means a continued dry weather pattern with a number of exceptions.
Past moderate La Niñas have resulted in record rainfall events for the Pacific Northwest.
Historical data shows the proverbial faucet of atmospheric rivers turns off during weaker La Niñas.
The status of the La Niña doesn’t make a difference for California. The state normally sees drier than normal conditions.
The northern Rockies normally see helpful snows during La Niña events.
Temperatures are likely to be below normal during moderate La Niñas but can well below normal during weaker climate patterns.