Dear WeatherCat climate watchers,
Here is the latest 1 month and 3 month forecasts from the National Weather Service - Climate Predication Center. Here is the one month forecasts of departures from normal temperatures for February:
This forecast is somewhat similar to last month's which didn't thankfully didn't pan out at least in the West
Here is the equivalent 3 months predictions of temperatures departures from normal for February through April:
This also looks similar to last month. Thus, Caveat Emptor is appropriate.
Here are the precipitation predictions of departures from normal for February:
This is a definitely gloom and doom forecast for much of the West and South. The North would be in the positive realm if this were to pan out.
Here is the equivalent graph for February to April:
The Northern third of the country is expected to get above normal precipitation, while the Southern third would be deprived of moisture.
Continuing from last month, here are drought forecasts. Here is the drought outlook for February:
It shows the drought in the South improving in some places while drought continues to fester in the Southwest.
Here is the equivalent 3 month outlook:
The 3 month outlook has drought expanding through many areas of the South and Southwest, although it backs off on the claim that drought would spread as far North as the San Francisco bay area.
The reliability of these outlooks appears to be typical and therefore your mileage will most definitely vary. Nonetheless, Like it or not, such are the forecasts we are facing . . . .
Edouard