La Niña’s Winter Forecast: Will North Dakota Feel the Chill?

With the cooler weather approaching, it’s time to break out your cozy blankets, fire up the hot chocolate, and prepare for—wait for it—a La Niña winter! Yes, it was reported last week that Federal forecasters are predicting a La Niña climate pattern will soon grace us with its presence, bringing cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific and all sorts of weather shenanigans across the U.S.

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, there’s a 60% chance we’ll enter the La Niña zone by the end of November. Now, before you rush to dust off your snow boots or sunscreen, it’s important to note that this year’s La Niña is expected to be a bit weaker and shorter-lived than in past years.

So, while we may not be in for the extreme weather swings we’ve seen before, Mother Nature still has a few tricks up her sleeve.

Get our free mobile app

In typical La Niña fashion, the southern part of the U.S. is likely to experience warmer, drier conditions. So, if you’re living in Texas or along the Gulf Coast, you might want to hold off on investing in that giant puffer coat.

On the flip side, residents of the Pacific Northwest and northern High Plains, including Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, and Montana, can expect cooler and wetter conditions. A little extra rain or snow could be on the horizon, so stock up on your favorite soups and prepare for some soggy commutes!

Meanwhile, folks in the Great Lakes region might want to watch their umbrellas. NOAA suggests that wetter-than-average conditions are in store, particularly in states like Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. It looks like there will be plenty of puddle-jumping opportunities this winter.

As for the rest of the country, drought conditions are expected to stick around in parts of the Great Plains, the Rockies, and the Southwest. But there’s good news for some: Washington, Oregon, and Idaho may finally see some drought relief, so don’t be too surprised if your lawn starts looking greener than usual.

So, whether you’re looking forward to snowball fights or dreaming of warm beach days, this year’s La Niña will have a little something for everyone—just don’t forget to keep an umbrella and a snow shovel on standby!