National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Outlook l Temperature l Precipitation  l  Conclusion  

 

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

CPC U.S. Temperature Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

CPC U.S. Precipitation Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

 

Summary: 

Climate forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict a weak El Nino to occur during the meteorological winter months of 2018-2019 (Dec-Jan-Feb). This combined with other global factors should favor Near Normal Temperatures, and Above Normal Precipitation in north and central Georgia during these months. As stated in the video above, displayed on these outlooks are the highest probability outlooks and does not describe the day-to-day variability. Scroll to each category below to see additional details. 

 

Outlook l Temperature l Precipitation  l  Conclusion 

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

CPC U.S. Temperature Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

Temperature probability forecast by category for north and central Georgia during the winter of 2018/2019 (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

 

Summary: 

Overall, near normal temperatures are possible this winter, but that doesn't mean that there still can't be cold temperatures at times. Although the El Nino is expected to be weak, it could still bring some cooler conditions across the southern US. The image on the right shows the individual break down by category for temperatures in north and central Georgia. Overall there is an equal 33.3% chance of above normal temperatures, near normal temperatures, and below normal temperatures during the time period. 

Outlook l Temperature l Precipitation  l  Conclusion 

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

CPC U.S. Precip Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb) 


Click to Enlarge

Precipitation probability forecast by category for north and central Georgia during the winter of 2018/2019 (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

 

Summary: 

The precipitation forecast comes with slightly lower confidence due to variability in El Nino years. Although the El Nino is expected to be weak, it could bring wetter conditions across the southern US and warmer/drier conditions across parts of the northern US. The pie chart above shows this winter leaning towards above normal chances with a 33-40% chance for above normal precipitation in north Georgia, and a 40-50% chance for above normal precipitation in central Georgia. Near normal and above normal chances remain not far behind.    

 

Outlook l Temperature l Precipitation  l  Conclusion 

Click to enlarge Click to enlarge

CPC U.S. Temperature Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

CPC U.S. Precipitation Outlook for the 2018/2019 Winter (Dec-Jan-Feb)


Click to Enlarge

 

Key Points

- A weak El Nino may bring Near Normal Temperatures and Above Normal Precipitation this winter.

- Even though near normal temperatures are forecast, that doesn't mean that we won't have any cold snaps or periods of snowfall. 

- Other factors could overtake the influence of the weak El Nino this winter such as influences from other climate patterns such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and possibly bring variability to this outlook.

- These outlooks also only display the chances for above, below, or near normal temperatures and precipitation. They do not indicate how much above or below normal a given parameter will be or the day-to-day or week-to-week variability.

- Contact us here in Peachtree City, GA or your own local National Weather Service Office for questions and more details. The Climate Prediction Center webpage can be accessed here. The full Winter Outlook from NOAA can be found here