2021 Winter Outlook: Here's What's In Store For Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — Winter in Wisconsin has a higher chance of warmer temperatures and greater precipitation, which is in line with earlier national predictions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday.

The Midwestern portion of the U.S. will experience higher-than-average temperatures and a greater chance of inclement weather, national forecasters said. Small areas of the Great Lakes have equal chances for below-, near- or above-average temperatures.

Most of Wisconsin will have up to a 40 percent chance of above-normal temperatures this winter, national forecasters said. The Great Lakes region, along with the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Ohio Valley, will have the greatest chances for wetter-than-average conditions.

A Recap Of NOAA Highlights

Temperature

• Warmer-than-average conditions are most likely across the Southern tier of the U.S. and much of the Eastern U.S., with the greatest likelihood of above-average temperatures in the Southeast.
• Below-average temperatures are favored for southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest eastward to the northern Plains.
• The Upper Mississippi Valley and small areas of the Great Lakes have equal chances for below-, near- or above-average temperatures.

Precipitation

• The Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes and parts of the Ohio Valley and western Alaska have the greatest chances for wetter-than-average conditions.
• Drier-than-average conditions are favored in south central Alaska, Southern California, the Southwest and the Southeast.
• The forecast for the remainder of the U.S. shows equal chances for below-, near- or above-average precipitation during winter months.

Drought

• Widespread severe to exceptional drought continues to dominate the western half of the continental U.S., Northern Plains and the Missouri River Basin.
• Drought conditions are forecast to persist and develop in the Southwest and Southern Plains.
• The Pacific Northwest, Northern California, the Upper Midwest and Hawaii are most likely to experience drought improvement.

"Consistent with typical La Niña conditions during winter months, we anticipate below-normal temperatures along portions of the northern tier of the U.S. while much of the South experiences above-normal temperatures," chief forecaster John Gottschalck said. "The Southwest will certainly remain a region of concern as we anticipate below-normal precipitation where drought conditions continue in most areas."

La Niña was confirmed in mid-October by the forecast administration. La Niña occurs when water near the equator in the Pacific Ocean is cooler than average, which affects the climate in North America around wintertime.

See Also: La Niña Returns: Wisconsin Poised For Colder, Wetter Winter

Patch Editor Lucas Combos contributed to this article.