NOAA Calls for Mild, Wet January

While temperatures are expected to be below normal for portions of the west and Alaska, the southeast will see above-normal temperatures. Image: NOAA

In the latest 30 day temperature and precipitation outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) yesterday, large portions of the country will see the first month of 2020 be milder and more wet than usual.

In the one-month outlook for temperature probability, the southeastern quarter of the continental United States is expected to see above normal temperatures. Florida is forecast to be especially warmer than usual with greater than 60% confidence. While the southeast should be milder than usual, portions of Alaska and the western United States are expected to be somewhat below normal, although the confidence of that is only at 40% probability. The Upper Plains, Mid Atlantic, and New England are expected to be close to normal with equal chances of below/above normal temperatures over the next 30 days.

The NOAA outlook suggests portions of the eastern United States will see more precipitation than normal. Image: NOAA

In addition to being milder than usual, the eastern United States are expected to see more precipitation than usual. While the best odds for a wetter January are over Kentucky and Tennessee, above normal odds exist from Louisiana to New Jersey. Western Alaska and Montana are also expected to see more moisture than usual, although that precipitation is expected to fall in the form of snow.