The Climate Prediction Center has released their latest outlooks for the next year, and the outlooks show an expectation that above-normal temperatures are likely to continue for most of the next year.  This is based on the trend toward warmer temperatures which has been observed in the US since the 1970s.   The March outlook shows an increased chance of above normal temperatures as well as above normal rainfall for the month, which should help to remove lingering dryness from the soil as farmers prepare for planting.

The 3-month forecast maps do not show any enhanced probability towards either wetter or drier than normal until the Dec-Feb period next winter, when they do show an increased chance of drier than normal conditions for parts of the Southeast.  This is interesting because drier than normal conditions in winter are more often due to a La Niña than an El Niño.  The early projections for next winter lean towards an El Niño, so this is different than I expected.  You can see all of the 3-month maps at https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1.

 

 

 

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