A La Niña winter is coming. Here's what that could mean for the US

Fall is underway, and it's time to look ahead to winter, especially as conditions may vary significantly from last year. A weak La Niña, a natural climate pattern characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, is expected. This influences winter weather significantly in the Northern Hemisphere, although its impact is less in summer.

There's a 60% chance La Niña will develop by November, persisting through winter and potentially into early spring. La Niña, along with El Niño, plays a significant role in US winter weather. However, forecasts suggest this La Niña will be weaker, which means other weather phenomena might influence the season's climate.

While La Niña can alter temperature and precipitation patterns, no two events are identical. Typically, La Niña pushes the jet stream north, leading to stormy weather in the northern US. The latest forecasts suggest the northern US can expect a wetter winter, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and parts of the Northeast, which is crucial for addressing drought conditions.

In contrast, the southern half of the US and much of the East may experience warmer temperatures, possibly resulting in winter storms that are wetter rather than snowier. This could exacerbate drought conditions in the South. Meanwhile, the Midwest, Plains, and Rockies might see near-normal temperatures, with cooler conditions expected from the Pacific Northwest to the Dakotas. This could lead to more snow in the Pacific Northwest.

Northern California might see normal precipitation levels, while Southern California may be drier and warmer. Adequate rain is needed soon to conclude the wildfire season; without it, fires could continue.