La Nina expected to stay through winter in Northwest
Published 4:15 pm Thursday, September 17, 2020
- A La Nina weather pattern is likely to cause a cold, wet winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.
A La Nina has formed and is expected to make winter in Washington and the Idaho panhandle wetter and colder than average, the federal Climate Prediction Center said Thursday.
Below-average ocean temperatures have linked up with the atmosphere to create conditions associated with cold and wet winters in the northern U.S. and warm and dry winters in the southern U.S.
Northern California can expect a mild winter, according to the climate center. Oregon and most of Idaho fall in between, with equal chances of a mild, hard or routine winter.
Federal forecasts now rate the odds of the La Nina sticking through the winter at 75%, a big jump from last month’s outlook.
A “borderline moderate” La Nina likely will peak from November to January, according to the climate center.
The Northwest can expect a relatively warm and dry fall, with the La Nina making itself felt most strongly from January through March, according to the climate center.
The last La Nina formed in the winter of 2017-18. Washington’s average snowpack statewide that winter was 113% of normal.
