Forecasters Expect Warm, Dry Fall In Denver Area; Warm Winter

DENVER, CO — With the first day of fall's arrival on Wednesday, Denver area residents may be wondering what the weather has in store throughout the season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center has released its seasonal predictions, and it is expecting above-average temperatures this fall in the Denver area, along with below-average rainfall.

The center updated its predictions last week, and they now say that Colorado has around a 40-50 percent chance of above-average temperatures throughout October, November and December.

"Model guidance remains consistent from previous months depicting elevated probabilities of below normal precipitation for much of the southern and central [Contiguous United States]... during [October, November and December]," the NOAA Climate Center wrote on its website.

Those three months may also see less rain than usual – according to NOAA, the area has around a 30-40 percent chance of below-average rainfall throughout the season.

As fall turns to winter and temperatures dip even further, Colorado will also likely see above-average temperatures from December to February, NOAA said.

The center has not yet made a prediction on winter precipitation. As of right now, it's saying the Denver area has an equal chance of above-average and below-average precipitation.

Like much of the country, Colorado is under an increased chance of La Niña, a weather pattern that typically causes the state to see drier weather with stronger winds and less snow, according to OutThere Colorado.

Updated NOAA seasonal outlooks can be found here.