The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has released its three-month temperature and precipitation outlook, indicating that ongoing El Niño conditions are likely to influence weather patterns across the United States until the end of April.

The presence of above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean has triggered El Niño conditions, which are predicted to persist until May. However, the CPC suggests that El Niño may transition to neutral conditions by late spring and into the summer months.

The temperature outlook from February to April 2024, as per the CPC, forecasts above-average temperatures across various regions. These include the Pacific Northwest, northern and central California, parts of the Great Basin, the northern Rockies, the northern Plains, the Great Lakes region, the Northeast, and New England. The highest confidence for above-average temperatures is expected in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Meanwhile, slightly elevated confidence for below-average temperatures exists in southeastern New Mexico and western and central Texas. Much of the Southeast is likely to experience near-normal temperatures through April.

Regarding precipitation, the CPC's outlook for February through April indicates elevated probabilities of above-normal precipitation in southern California, the desert Southwest, the central and southern Plains, the Southeast, and most of the East Coast, including the Interstate 95 corridor. The Southeast is particularly expected to have above-normal precipitation during this period. Parts of southern Alaska and the North Slope of Alaska also have the possibility of above-normal precipitation. Conversely, below-normal precipitation is favored for the Pacific Northwest, as well as from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley.

El Niño events traditionally have significant impacts on weather throughout the United States during meteorological winter. Typically, the southern tier experiences cooler-than-average temperatures, while the northern half may see occasional breaks from harsh winters. The West Coast tends to see enhanced precipitation during El Niño events.

It is important to note that not all El Niño events are the same, and NOAA continues to monitor important regions to gain a better understanding of the impacts. While major El Niño events in 1982-83 and 1997-98 resulted in above-average precipitation in California, the record-breaking El Niño of 2015-16 actually brought less rainfall compared to non-El Niño events.

As the impacts of El Niño on weather patterns and precipitation levels can vary, it is crucial for individuals and communities to stay informed and prepared for potential changes and fluctuations in their local climatic conditions.