U.S. forecaster sees 95% chance of La Niña through March in Northern Hemisphere

The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said the latest forecasts from several models suggest the possibility of a strong La Niña during the peak November-January season. La Niña is anticipated to affect climate across the United States during the upcoming months, the CPC said in its monthly forecast. The weather phenomenon last emerged during the September-November period in 2017 and lasted through early 2018.

There is a 95% chance of La Niña conditions continuing through the Northern Hemisphere winter from January to March, a U.S. government weather forecaster said on Thursday.

The chance of the weather pattern continuing into the spring of 2021, from March to May, was seen at 65%. The La Niña pattern is characterized by unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and is linked with floods and drought.

Last month, the weather forecaster had said the chances of La Niña conditions continuing through the winter were at 85%. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said the latest forecasts from several models suggest the possibility of a strong La Niña during the peak November-January season.

La Niña is anticipated to affect climate across the United States during the upcoming months, the CPC said in its monthly forecast. The weather phenomenon last emerged during the September-November period in 2017 and lasted through early 2018.