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The NOAA map shows what to expect in Oklahoma

Posted on by Vanessa
The NOAA map shows what to expect in Oklahoma

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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oklahoma will experience a slightly warmer winter than in past years. The Climate Prediction Center has released its winter forecast report for January, February and March 2025.

The annual U.S. winter forecast report predicts strong La Niña conditions are expected across the country. The U.S. has a 74% chance of La Niña conditions, while the chance of it being a moderate event is 40%.

According to the National Weather Service, La Niña events are the periodic cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. This period usually occurs every 3 to 5 years, but can also occur occasionally. Last year, the U.S. struggled with El Niño conditions, which are the opposite of La Niña, meaning the ocean in the central and eastern Pacific warms to above-average sea surface temperatures.

During La Niña events, the northern part of the United States typically experiences colder and stormier winter conditions, while the south is warmer and less stormy.

What is the NOAA forecast for Oklahoma this winter?

East of Oklahoma City, normal precipitation levels are targeted for the winter, so cities like Tulsa and McAlester are set for a typical winter. However, central cities such as Sieling, Watonga, Lawton and OKC have a 33-40% chance of less than normal rainfall.

As one ventures further west into the Panhandle, Elk City and Hobart, there is a 40-50% chance of less than normal rainfall during the winter months.

As for temperatures, normal winter temperatures are experienced from Guymon to Grove and south to Stillwater. However, as you get south of OKC and Tulsa, temperatures are only expected to increase, with a 33-40% chance of getting warmer during the season.

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