[UPDATED: December 20] NOAA Winter 2024-25 Forecast: La Niña and the Rest of the Ski Season

On Thursday, December 20, the NOAA updated its long-range seasonal forecasts for this winter, giving snow lovers an idea of what the remainder of 2024-25 might hold. Here’s what the NOAA winter 2024-25 forecast looks like:

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Based on the outlook discussion, here’s the outlook for the rest of winter 2024-25.

The winter forecast for 2024-2025 indicates a likely emergence of weak La Niña conditions, with a 59% chance of occurrence through January. This pattern is expected to influence temperatures and precipitation across the United States. Above-normal temperatures are anticipated for much of the southern and eastern U.S., while the Northwest and Northern Plains may experience cooler conditions. Precipitation will likely be above average in the Northwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley regions, potentially benefiting ski areas in these locations. Conversely, drier-than-normal conditions are expected across the southern tier of the country. As spring approaches, ENSO-neutral conditions are forecast to return, gradually diminishing La Niña’s impact on weather patterns.

Winter Weather Outlook for Skiers and Snowboarders

La Niña conditions are expected to emerge this winter, bringing potential weather shifts for ski enthusiasts. Current oceanic and atmospheric patterns indicate a 59% chance of La Niña conditions forming between November 2024 and January 2025, persisting through February-April 2025. However, this La Niña is anticipated to be weak, with ENSO-neutral conditions likely returning by spring.

Temperature Outlook

Above-normal temperatures are expected across much of the southern U.S. and East Coast during January-March 2025 (JFM). These warmer conditions may extend to northern Alaska, while cooler-than-average temperatures are forecast for southeastern Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northern Plains. Ski resorts in these cooler regions could see favorable conditions for snow.

By February-April (FMA), similar temperature patterns will persist. The southern tier and East Coast will likely remain warmer than average, while colder areas in the northwest may see a gradual reduction in below-normal temperature probabilities as La Niña weakens.

Precipitation Outlook

Skiers in the northwestern U.S., Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley can expect above-normal precipitation during JFM 2025. This could mean more snow for resorts in these areas. Conversely, drier-than-average conditions are forecast for much of the southern U.S., including the Rio Grande Valley and Florida Peninsula.

The FMA period will maintain similar precipitation trends. The Northwest and Great Lakes regions are likely to continue receiving above-average precipitation, while dry conditions may expand slightly northward in the west-central U.S., potentially affecting snowfall in those areas.

Spring Transition

As spring approaches, ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to return, reducing La Niña’s influence on weather patterns. The northwestern U.S. may see a decrease in above-normal precipitation probabilities by March-May (MAM), while dry signals could migrate northward across the western U.S. Skiers should expect diminishing snowfall opportunities as spring progresses.

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Here’s the discussion in full from the NOAA, followed by outlook maps for the season:

Prognostic Discussion for Long-Lead Seasonal Outlooks 
N

Prognostic Discussion for Long-Lead Seasonal Outlooks 
NWS Climate Prediction Center College Park MD 
830 AM EST Thu Dec 19 2024 
 
SUMMARY OF THE OUTLOOK FOR NON-TECHNICAL USERS 
 
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions are present, as 
equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are near-to-below average in the 
central and eastern Pacific Ocean. During the last four weeks, mostly negative 
SST anomaly changes were evident across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. As such, 
a La Niña Watch is in effect, with La Niña conditions most likely to emerge in 
November 2024 - January 2025 (NDJ) (59% chance) and is expected to persist 
through February-April (FMA) 2025. In fact, the latest weekly Nino 3.4 SST 
departure was -0.6 degrees Celsius, which technically crosses the La Niña 
threshold. However, chances of a strong La Niña are exceedingly small, with a 
near zero percent chance of occurrence through the Winter. ENSO-neutral 
conditions are favored to re-emerge by the March-May (MAM) 2025 season. 
 
The January-March (JFM) 2025 temperature outlook favors above-normal 
temperatures for most of the southern tier of the Contiguous United States 
(CONUS), the eastern quarter of the CONUS, and northern Alaska. The largest 
probabilities (greater than 50 percent) of above normal temperatures are 
forecast across parts of the Southwest, the Rio Grande Valley, the Gulf Coast 
Region, and the Southeast. Conversely, a weak tilt toward below normal 
temperatures is indicated for southeastern Alaska, the northwestern CONUS, and 
the Northern Plains. The JFM 2025 Precipitation Outlook depicts enhanced 
probabilities of below-normal precipitation amounts across much of the southern 
tier of the CONUS as well as parts of southern Mainland Alaska. The greatest 
chances (greater than 50 percent) of below-normal precipitation are forecast 
for the Rio Grande Valley and the Florida Peninsula, where probabilities of 
below exceed 50 percent. Above-normal precipitation is more likely for the 
northwestern CONUS, the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, parts of the Upper and Middle 
Mississippi Valley, parts of the interior Northeast, and much of northern and 
western Mainland Alaska. The greatest chance (above 50 percent) of above-normal 
precipitation is indicated for the central Great Lakes region and northern 
portions of the Ohio Valley. Equal chances (EC) are forecast for areas where 
probabilities for each category of seasonal mean temperatures and seasonal 
accumulated precipitation amounts are expected to be similar to climatological 
probabilities. 
 
BASIS AND SUMMARY OF THE CURRENT LONG-LEAD OUTLOOKS 
Note: For Graphical Displays of the Forecast Tools Discussed Below See: 
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/tools/briefing 
 
CURRENT ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC CONDITIONS 
 
ENSO-neutral continued in November, with near to weakly below average sea 
surface temperatures (SSTs) observed across much of the central and eastern 
equatorial Pacific Ocean. The latest weekly Niño indices ranged from -0.2°C 
(Niño-1+2) to -0.6°C (Niño-3.4), with the magnitude of the negative Niño-3.4 
anomaly technically crossing the La Niña threshold. Below-average subsurface 
ocean temperatures persisted across the east-central and eastern equatorial 
Pacific Ocean. Over the western and central equatorial Pacific, low-level wind 
anomalies were easterly and upper-level wind anomalies were westerly. 
Convection was suppressed over the Date Line and was enhanced over western 
Indonesia. The traditional and equatorial Southern Oscillation indices were 
positive. Collectively, the coupled ocean-atmosphere system reflected 
ENSO-neutral. However, with SST anomalies across much of the Tropical Pacific 
trending more negative, a La Niña Watch remains in effect. 
 
The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) has continued to be a significant player in 
the tropics. However, the emerging La Niña base state has been a growing source 
of interference with both the propagation and amplitude of the MJO. Dynamical 
model forecasts depict continued eastward propagation of the MJO signal with a 
slow phase. Extended range Realtime Multivariate MJO (RMM) index solutions 
indicate the potential for a surge in the strength of the MJO during weeks 3 
and 4 as it moves out into the Central Pacific and La Niña interference 
lessens. A continued eastward MJO propagation over the Pacific would favor a 
period of below-normal temperatures across the northeastern U.S. to start off 
the New Year, as well as a wet start for the West Coast. However, the majority 
of seasonal guidance for JFM favors above normal temperatures for the 
Northeast, suggesting that this cold period may be short lived. 
 
PROGNOSTIC DISCUSSION OF SST FORECASTS 
 
The dynamical models  in the Columbia Climate School International Research 
Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) plume continue to predict a weak and a 
short duration La Niña. This prediction is also reflected in the latest North 
American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), which continues to predict slightly 
cooler SSTs and weak La Niña conditions. The ENSO forecast team leaned toward 
predicting an eventual onset of weak and short-lived La Niña conditions, based 
on the model guidance and current atmospheric anomalies. In summary, La Niña 
conditions are most likely to emerge in NDJ 2024-2025 (59% chance), with a 
transition to ENSO-neutral most likely by MAM 2025 (61% chance). 
 
PROGNOSTIC TOOLS USED FOR U.S. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKS 
 
Dynamical model forecasts from the NMME, the Coupled Forecast System Model 
Version 2 (CFSv2) , the Copernicus (C3S) multi-model ensemble system were used 
extensively for the first six leads when they are available, as was the 
objective, historical skill weighted consolidation and Calibration, Bridging, 
and Merging (CBaM) guidance, that combines both dynamical and statistical 
forecast information. 
 
Additionally, the official ENSO forecast favors a weak La Niña through the 
upcoming winter. This anticipated weak La Niña signal played a role in the 
construction of these outlooks. Composites derived from nearest neighbor 
statistical analysis of recently observed tropical Pacific SST and Equatorial 
heat anomalies were utilized where appropriate. At later leads, decadal trends  
in temperature and precipitation were increasingly relied upon in creating the 
seasonal outlooks. 
 
PROGNOSTIC DISCUSSION OF OUTLOOKS - JFM 2025 TO JFM 2026 
 
TEMPERATURE 
 
Above-normal temperatures are favored throughout most of the southern tier and 
eastern quarter of the CONUS and northern Alaska during JFM. Conversely, below 
normal temperatures are more likely for much of southeastern Alaska, the 
northwestern CONUS, and the Northern Plains. EC of below, near, or above normal 
temperatures are forecast for most of California, parts of the Great Basin, the 
Central Rockies and Plains, the western Great Lakes Region, and central and 
southwestern Alaska. These EC areas are due to weak or conflicting signals  
among temperature tools. Probabilities of below-normal temperatures are reduced 
slightly relative to last month across parts of the north-central CONUS as cold 
statistical tools are tempered by warmer dynamical based guidance. The greatest 
probabilities of colder than normal conditions (40 to 50 percent chance) are 
forecast for parts of southeastern Alaska, Pacific Northwest, and Northern 
Rockies, where guidance is in better agreement. Above normal temperatures 
remain likely (greater than 50 percent chance) across the parts of the 
Southwest, the Rio Grande Valley, the Gulf Coast Region, and the Southeast, and 
favored (between 40 and 50 percent chance) across the remainder of the Eastern 
Seaboard due to good agreement among both dynamical and statistical guidance. 
Guidance is similar across much of Alaska relative to last month. Increased 
probabilities of below-normal temperatures are indicated for southeastern parts 
of the state, supported by ENSO composites and dynamical model guidance. 
Above-normal temperatures remain favored for northern Alaska due, in part, to 
recent trends . 
 
For FMA, potential impacts from the predicted weak La Niña continue and the 
predicted temperature pattern is very similar to JFM.  Above-normal 
temperatures continue to be favored across most of the southern tier of the 
CONUS, the Eastern Seaboard, and northern Alaska. Enhanced probabilities of 
below normal temperatures persist across southeastern Alaska, the Northwestern 
CONUS, and the Northern Plains. Probabilities of below-normal temperatures were 
increased for parts of the northern High Plains relative to the JFM season due 
to recent trends . By MAM, the potential impacts of La Niña begin to wane as 
ENSO-neutral conditions become increasingly likely. As such, the areas of 
favored below-normal temperatures across southeastern Alaska, the Northwestern 
CONUS, and the Northern Plains diminish relative to FMA. Above normal 
temperatures remain favored across much of the southern tier of the CONUS and 
Eastern Seaboard. However, confidence in above-normal temperatures is reduced 
across parts of the Great Lakes region relative to last month as composites 
derived from recent ENSO observations are indicating a cold signal. As we 
progress to later in Spring (April-May-June (AMJ)) through early Fall 
(September-October-November (SON)), the favored below-normal areas disappear 
completely. However, above-normal temperatures continued to be favored for much 
of the West, southern tier, and East Coast of the CONUS as well as much of 
coastal Alaska and parts of the interior Mainland, consistent with trends . 
Large areas of EC are indicated across much of the central CONUS and parts of 
Alaska due to weak or conflicting signals  among the guidance. Later in the Fall 
(October-November-December (OND)) into early winter NDJ 2025-2026, slightly 
enhanced probabilities of above-normal temperatures are indicated across most 
of the country, consistent with recent trends . Large areas of EC are indicated 
for the heart of next Winter (December-January-February (DJF)) 2025-26 and JFM 
2026 as confidence decreases at these longer leads. 
 
PRECIPITATION 
 
During JFM and FMA 2025, the forecast precipitation patterns are very similar 
and exhibit many of the hallmarks of a La Niña signal. Above normal 
precipitation is favored during both seasons for the Northwestern CONUS, Great 
Lakes, Ohio Valley, parts of the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley, interior 
Northeast, and northern and western Alaska. The greatest confidence of 
above-normal precipitation is indicated across the central Great Lakes region 
and northern Ohio Valley during JFM. Below normal precipitation is favored 
across much of the southern tier of the CONUS for JFM and FMA as well as for 
parts of the South Coast of Mainland Alaska. Confidence of below-normal 
precipitation is generally greater across the southern tier of the CONUS during 
JFM relative to FMA. However, a notable northward expansion of the favored 
below-normal precipitation area is indicated for parts of the west-central 
CONUS during FMA. For both JFM and FMA, the area of enhanced above-normal 
precipitation probabilities in the east-central CONUS is expanded southwestward 
relative to last month to include more of the Central and parts of the Lower 
Mississippi Valley due to dynamical model support. Confidence for above-normal 
precipitation was also increased relative to last month for northern portions 
of the West Coast due to support from C3S and CBaM guidance during JFM and FMA. 
Probabilities of below-normal precipitation for Southeast Alaska were reduced 
relative to last month due to lack of support from the majority of statistical 
and dynamical guidance. 
 
As we progress further into Spring (MAM) through early Fall (SON), ENSO 
guidance becomes less coherent and trends  are increasingly relied upon. A small 
area of residual enhanced above-normal precipitation probabilities indicated 
for parts of the northwestern CONUS during MAM disappears completely by AMJ. A 
northward migration of enhanced below normal-precipitation probabilities is 
forecast from MAM to July-August-September (JAS) across much of the West. This 
dry signal decreases in confidence heading into next Fall and disappears 
completely by next Winter. Farther to the east, the area of enhanced 
above-normal precipitation probabilities across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley 
indicated in MAM migrates to the East Coast by early Summer and persists into 
early Fall, consistent with trends . Similar to JFM and FMA, increased chances 
of above-normal precipitation persist across northwestern Alaska and to varying 
degrees southward along the west coast of the Mainland from MAM through JJA. 
Thereafter, statistical guidance (including recent trends ) shifts the focus of 
increased above-normal precipitation probabilities to southeastern Alaska 
during next Summer and early Fall. Forecast confidence is generally low later 
in the Fall and next Winter with large areas of EC indicated. Weak tilts toward 
above-normal precipitation are generally indicated for small areas of the 
Pacific Northwest, much of coastal Alaska, and parts of eastern Interior 
Mainland Alaska during this period. Small areas of slightly enhanced 
above-normal precipitation probabilities are indicated for parts of the 
northern Plains, Southeast, and Ohio Valley next Winter. Conversely, weakly 
enhanced probabilities of below-normal precipitation are indicated for parts of 
the Southwest later next Winter. 
 
FORECASTER: Scott Handel 
 
The Climatic normals are based on conditions between 1991 and 2020, following 
the World Meterological Organization convention of using the most recent 3 
complete decades as the climatic reference period.  The probability anomalies 
for temperature and precipitation based on these new normals better represent 
shorter term climatic anomalies than the forecasts based on older normals. 
 
For a description of of the standard forecast tools - their skill- and the 
forecast format please see our web page at 
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/tools.html 
(Use Lower Cas e Letters) 
Information on the formation of skill of the CAS forecasts may be found at: 
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Soilmst_Monitoring/US/Outlook/outlook.shtm 
l 
(use lowercase letters) 
Notes - These climate outlooks are intended for use prior to the start of their 
valid period.  Within any given valid period observations and short and medium 
range forecasts should be consulted. 
 
This set of outlooks will be superseded by the issuance of the new set next 
month on Jan 16 2025 
 
 
1991-2020 base period means were implemented effective with the May 20, 2021 
forecast release. 
$$