This week’s summery forecast could be a reflection of the kind of winter in store for California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center has just released its annual U.S. winter outlook — and it’s looking warm and dry for the state.
California has a good chance of warmer-than-normal and drier-than-normal conditions this winter, according to NOAA data, which measures the likelihood at 40 to 50 percent. The main reason is the absence of the El Niño climate pattern this year, which often impacts winter weather. In fact, warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for much of the U.S.
The recent dry and warm weather in northern and central California that has sparked red flag warnings and power shutdowns also does not bode well for the drought forecast. Drought is expected to persist as below-normal precipitation is expected from November through January 2020.
