Drier, warmer winter outlook for much of California

CALIFORNIA, USA — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center released its Winter 2019-2020 forecast. 

The outlook for California is above normal temperatures and a drier than normal season running from December through February.

Much of the United States may see warmer than average temperatures. Cold weather will still be possible but the overall trend is for a warmer outlook through the season.

Meanwhile, the outlook for precipitation (rain and snow) is favoring wetter-than-average weather for parts of the Northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, the Great Lakes and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

READ ALSO: 

• Scientists say hurricanes can trigger 'stormquakes' on the ocean floor
• With warming, get used to blackouts to prevent wildfires

Drier-than-average conditions are possible for Louisiana, parts of Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma as well as areas of northern and central California.

Part of the reason for the warmer and drier outlook is due to the absence of El Niño or La Niña. These two climate patterns often influence winter conditions. Though there are other large scale patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific that help guide predictions.

No matter what the forecast, it’s always important to remember we can still have flooding and cold storms. Each weather system will present opportunities for extremes in rain, snow and temperatures.

FREE ABC10 APP:

►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter

WATCH ALSO: Weather You Know: Why doesn't it rain in space?

Now it's time on #MorningBlend10 for Weather You Know, when Rob Carlmark answer kids' questions about... well, the weather.