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NOAA's 2024-25 winter forecast maps show what to expect in Ohio


NOAA's 2024-25 winter forecast maps show what to expect in Ohio

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Ohio's winter could be milder this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Climate Prediction Center has released its winter forecast report for January, February and March 2025.

The Climate Prediction Center's 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 Ohio this fall?

In western Ohio, including near the Cincinnati metropolitan area and the Tri-State area, there is a 33-40% chance that temperatures will be warmer than usual, according to the report.

The rest of the state, including Columbus, Cleveland and Akron in eastern and southern Ohio, is also trending upward and expects even warmer temperatures, with forecasts 40-50% above average.

In terms of precipitation, above average precipitation is expected for Ohio. Areas to the west, including Cincinnati and Dayton, could see precipitation chances 50-60% above average. The northern, eastern and southern portions of the Buckeye State could see 40-50% higher chances of precipitation this winter.

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