Georgia Winter Forecast 2020-2021 Released By NOAA

GEORGIA — As we inch closer to winter, the gold standard for early winter weather forecasts has been released with a prediction on just what kind of winter 2020-21 season is in store for the Atlanta region. Georgia could be in for a warmer and drier winter this year, according to the latest forecast released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Thanks in part to an ongoing La Niña weather pattern, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — is predicting a warmer than normal winter for our state. "The greatest chances for warmer-than-normal conditions extend across the Southern tier of the U.S. from the Southwest, across the Gulf states, and into the Southeast," the forecast said.

More modest chances for drier conditions are forecast in the Southeast. As we head into winter, NOAA’s forecast for the United States calls for warmer, drier conditions across many of the Southern states, and cooler, wetter conditions in the North.

“With La Niña well established and expected to persist through the upcoming 2020 winter season, we anticipate the typical, cooler, wetter North, and warmer, drier South, as the most likely outcome of winter weather that the U.S. will experience this year,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

The weather service hasn't made any predictions yet for winter temperatures.

The average winter high in Atlanta is 51 degrees in December, 51 in January and 52 in February. Data shows the average low temperature is 35 degrees in December, 43 in January and 37 in February.

NOAA also plans to closely monitor persistent drought conditions through the winter months. Right now, more than 45 percent of the continental United States is experiencing drought.

With a La Niña climate pattern in place, southern parts of the country may experience expanded and intensifying drought in the months ahead.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update is to be released Nov. 19.