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HOME> Outlook Maps>Seasonal Forecast Discussion |
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Prognostic Discussion for Long-Lead Seasonal Outlooks NWS Climate Prediction Center College Park MD 830 AM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 SUMMARY OF THE OUTLOOK FOR NON-TECHNICAL USERS El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions are present, as equatorial sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are near average across most of the tropical Pacific Ocean. The latest Niño 3.4 weekly departure was +0.1 degrees Celsius, which is squarely in ENSO-neutral territory. As such, ENSO-neutral conditions are most likely through the late Northern Hemisphere summer 2025 (56 percent chance in August-October (ASO)). Thereafter, chances of La Niña conditions increase into the fall and winter 2025-26, but remain comparable to ENSO-Neutral. The chances of El Niño are very small (around 10 percent or less) through the rest of the summer, the fall, and the upcoming winter. The ASO 2025 Temperature Outlook favors above-normal temperatures for almost the entire country. The largest probabilities (greater than 50 percent) of above-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the interior West, Northeast, and southern Florida, with probabilities exceeding 60 percent for much of New England. Near-normal temperatures are more likely for eastern portions of the Alaska North Slope. The ASO 2025 Precipitation Outlook depicts enhanced probabilities of below-normal precipitation amounts across much of the northern Plains, Rockies, and Great Basin. Above-normal precipitation is more likely for much of the eastern third of the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and most of Alaska. The greatest chances (above 40 percent) of above-normal precipitation are indicated for the Southeast and portions of central Mainland Alaska. Equal chances (EC) are forecast for areas where probabilities for each category of seasonal mean temperatures and seasonal accumulated precipitation amounts are expected to be similar to climatological probabilities. BASIS AND SUMMARY OF THE CURRENT LONG-LEAD OUTLOOKS Note: For Graphical Displays of the Forecast Tools Discussed Below See: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/90day/tools/briefing CURRENT ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC CONDITIONS During June 2025, ENSO-neutral continued, with near-average sea surface temperatures prevailing across most of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The latest weekly Niño SST index values ranged from +0.1°C to +0.4°C. Subsurface temperature anomalies were weakly positive and nearly unchanged from last month, with mostly above-average temperatures established along the thermocline. Over the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, low-level wind anomalies were easterly and upper-level wind anomalies were westerly. Convection remained enhanced over Indonesia. Collectively, the coupled ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific reflected ENSO-neutral. Dynamical models depict a robust Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) emerging across the Western Pacific in mid- to late-July, with eastward propagation into the Western Hemisphere possible by the end of the month. Increased tropical cyclone (TC) activity remains likely across the Western North Pacific during the next 2 weeks tied to the aforementioned enhanced low frequency convective signal. The developing MJO favors increasing chances of TC development spreading into the Eastern North Pacific toward the end of July into early August ending the current lull in TC activity across the Basin. While the Atlantic is likely to continue to remain quiet in terms of TC activity for the next few weeks, signs point to this MJO event reaching a more favorable position in early- to mid-August, possibly leading to increased chances of TC formation coinciding with the uptick in climatology across the Main Development Region. PROGNOSTIC DISCUSSION OF SST FORECASTS The International Research Institute (IRI) predictions indicate ENSO-neutral is most likely through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2025-26. In contrast, the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) favors the onset of La Niña conditions during the Northern Hemisphere fall, though lasting a shorter duration than NOAA's requirement of five consecutive overlapping 3-month seasons. While the subsurface equatorial Pacific remains above average, easterly trade winds are predicted to strengthen in the coming month, which could portend cooler conditions. In summary, ENSO-neutral is most likely through the late Northern Hemisphere summer 2025 (56% chance in ASO). Thereafter, chances of La Niña conditions increase into the fall and winter 2025-26, but remain nearly equal to ENSO-neutral. PROGNOSTIC TOOLS USED FOR U.S. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION OUTLOOKS Dynamical model forecasts from the NMME, the Coupled Forecast System Model Version 2 (CFSv2), and the Copernicus (C3S) multi-model ensemble system were used extensively for the first six leads when they are available, as was the objective, historical skill weighted consolidation and Calibration, Bridging, and Merging (CBaM) guidance, that combines both dynamical and statistical forecast information. Antecedent boundary layer conditions such as soil moisture, sea ice extent, and extratropical SSTs were utilized where appropriate. Additionally, the official ENSO forecast favors ENSO neutral or La Niña conditions through the upcoming winter. The anticipated absence of El Niño played a role in the construction of these outlooks. Composites derived from nearest neighbor statistical analysis of recently observed tropical Pacific SST and Equatorial heat anomalies were utilized when relevant. At later leads, decadal trends in temperature and precipitation were increasingly relied upon in creating the seasonal outlooks. PROGNOSTIC DISCUSSION OF OUTLOOKS - ASO 2025 TO ASO 2026 TEMPERATURE One of the main headlines for the late summer and early fall is the potential for widespread warmth as above-normal temperatures are favored for virtually the entire nation. This is not particularly surprising given that the ASO period has among the largest coverage of warm trends of any three month period of the year. These warm trends are particularly strong in the Northeast, the interior West, and southern Florida, where probabilities of above-normal temperatures exceed 50 percent. In the Northeast, above-normal SSTs in the adjacent Atlantic support even greater confidence (above 60 percent chance) of above-normal temperatures for much of New England. Enhanced chances of above-normal temperatures are relatively lower from the Northern Plains to parts of the Southeast where warm trends are comparatively weak. Additionally the soil moisture tool features a probability minimum for portions of the Central Plains and adjacent Mississippi Valley where above-normal temperature probabilities are only 33 to 40 percent. Dynamical models such as the NMME also depict more uncertainty for parts of the Northern Plains, where probabilities of above-normal temperatures are also only 33 to 40 percent. SSTs are currently colder than normal along much of the West Coast and dynamical models such as the NMME depict a weaker warm signal there, so confidence of above-normal temperatures is less along the coast relative to inland areas. Probabilities of above-normal temperatures are less than 40 percent along much of the central and southern California coast. Uncertainty is also high for northeastern Alaska, which is one of the few areas of the country where above-normal temperatures are not favored. The current distribution of Arctic sea ice is not as conducive for abnormal warmth across eastern areas of the North Slope relative to areas farther to the west. For this reason, near-normal temperatures are favored for eastern areas of the North Slope, while above-normal temperatures are more likely for western areas. Above-normal temperatures are favored for most of the remainder of Alaska, with the greatest confidence across the southeastern portion of the state, consistent with recent trends. As we progress to the core fall season (September-November (SON) and October-December (OND)), warm trends continue to dominate much of the nation while early impacts from the anticipated lack of El Niño begin to affect the forecast pattern later in Fall. Above normal temperatures continue to be favored for most of the nation in both SON and OND, consistent with trends . The most confident areas of above-normal temperatures are across the Great Basin/Central Rockies (SON), areas of the Southwest and Southern High Plains (OND), and the Northeast (SON and OND), consistent with recent trends . Uncertainty increases across the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest where EC is indicated as trends weaken later in Fall and increased ENSO impacts potentially take hold. This increase in uncertainty is supported by the NMME which has a weak signal across much of the Northern Tier of the CONUS. Above-normal temperatures are favored for most of the northern two-thirds of Alaska in both SON and OND, consistent with recent trends . However, near-normal temperatures continue to be favored for eastern areas of the North Slope due largely to sea ice considerations. Confidence decreases for most of the southern third of Alaska where trends are relatively weaker and ENSO impacts may decrease above-normal temperature chances later in Fall. During the cold seasons (November-January (NDJ), December-February (DJF), January-March (JFM), and February-April (FMA)) the anticipated lack of El Niño is a main driver informing the forecast. As there is roughly a 90 percent probability that El Niño conditions will not be present during the winter, the forecast patterns resemble those more typical of La Niña. Most of the nation is favored to experience above-normal temperatures in NDJ as warm trends continue to dominate much of the country. As we get deeper in the winter season, ENSO impacts become more evident. The first cold signals appear in DJF across the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska, consistent with a lack of El Niño. A tilt toward below-normal temperatures then appears in JFM over parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley and peaks in coverage across the Northern Tier west of the Great Lakes in FMA. Conversely, the Southern Tier of the CONUS is consistently favored to be warmer than usual, typical of a lack of El Niño. Above-normal temperatures are also favored for the East Coast due to warm recent trends during the core winter months. Alaska is generally favored to be warmer than normal across the western and northern Mainland and colder than normal over Southeast Alaska, consistent with the predicted ENSO state. Looking ahead to next spring and summer, the pattern is almost exclusively informed by recent trends . As we get deeper into the warm season, the outlook favors increased chances of warmer than normal conditions in a U-shaped pattern covering the western, southern, and eastern CONUS. Warmer than normal conditions are favored for western Mainland Alaska during spring and then shifting more toward the eastern part of the state by summer. PRECIPITATION The ASO period falls squarely within the peak of the Atlantic Hurricane season. With an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane season forecast, tropical activity will be a key wildcard in the precipitation distribution along the Gulf and East Coasts and adjacent inland areas. Above-normal precipitation is favored along much of the Eastern Seaboard westward to the Lower Mississippi Valley, generally following guidance from the final consolidation tool. The northward extension of the above-normal area is consistent with recent trends while the western extension to the central Gulf Coast has some support from the C3S and is consistent with potential enhanced tropical activity associated with an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane season. Conversely, below-normal precipitation is favored from the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley to the Northern and Central Rockies and parts of the Great Basin. These areas of favored dryness are consistent with the final consolidation, recent trends , and below-normal soil moisture. Above-normal precipitation is favored for most of Alaska, consistent with the NMME and recent trends . The fall season (SON and OND) features a transition from greater topical influences early to greater ENSO influences late. During early fall (SON), enhanced above-normal precipitation chances continue along much of the East Coast, consistent with potential increased tropical activity and with the preceding ASO forecast period. Slightly enhanced above-normal precipitation probabilities extend westward to the Ohio Valley, with support from the CBaM tool. Conversely, a dry signal is favored for much of the west-central CONUS due to a combination of recent trends and dynamical model support. Later in fall (OND), the forecast pattern increasingly begins to resemble a La-Niña-like signature, with above-normal precipitation favored for the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes/Ohio Valley and a tilt toward below-normal precipitation spreading across the Southern Tier. A slight tilt toward above-normal precipitation is forecast for much of Mainland Alaska in (SON) and increases in coverage later in fall (OND), consistent with recent trends . During the cold three-month periods (NDJ, DJF, JFM, and FMA), the predicted precipitation patterns were remarkably consistent and typical of a lack of El Niño. The core winter months (DJF and JFM) feature increased chances of above-normal precipitation for the Northern Rockies and Great Lakes/Ohio Valley with dryness more likely across the Southern Tier of the CONUS. Above-normal precipitation is favored for Northern Alaska during late fall/early winter shifting more toward western Mainland Alaska as the winter progresses. During next spring and summer, recent trends favor dryness across the Southwest early, then shifting to the northwestern CONUS and eventually to parts of the Northern Plains during the warmer months. Slightly elevated chances of above-normal precipitation are indicated for much of the East during the core summer months. Above-normal precipitation is favored for northwestern Alaska during spring, then shifting to central and southern parts of the Mainland during summer. FORECASTER: Scott Handel The Climatic normals are based on conditions between 1991 and 2020, following the World Meterological Organization convention of using the most recent 3 complete decades as the climatic reference period. The probability anomalies for temperature and precipitation based on these new normals better represent shorter term climatic anomalies than the forecasts based on older normals. For a description of of the standard forecast tools - their skill- and the forecast format please see our web page at http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/tools.html (Use Lower Cas e Letters) Information on the formation of skill of the CAS forecasts may be found at: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Soilmst_Monitoring/US/Outlook/outlook.shtm l (use lowercase letters) Notes - These climate outlooks are intended for use prior to the start of their valid period. Within any given valid period observations and short and medium range forecasts should be consulted. This set of outlooks will be superseded by the issuance of the new set next month on Aug 21 2025 1991-2020 base period means were implemented effective with the May 20, 2021 forecast release. $$
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