Heading into the month of December at least one winter storm takes aim at the region, which will likely deposit some much welcome snow in time for the holidays.
Our long-range prediction calls for a surge of warmer-than-normal temperatures returning toward the end of the month. Much of the fresh snow across Wisconsin, central and southern Minnesota along with the eastern Dakotas will vanish. January will live up to its reputation as the coldest month of the year as chilly temperatures return. The main storm track, however, will push most of the major winter storms south after pounding the northern Cascade and Rocky Mountain regions with heavy snowfall.
It’s still very dry across most of the country and the outlook heading into spring 2025 is suggesting the pattern will persist. In fact, most of the upper Midwest is considered abnormally dry, with a few exceptions in eastern North Dakota and central Wisconsin.
La Niña has weakened, although its effects are still impacting our regional weather. Most of the long-range computer models hit at a chillier start to the New Year and colder-than-average conditions continuing into late winter. If this forecast materializes, heavier snow across the northern plains and eastern Great Lakes will likely occur. Below average precipitation would be more likely across much of Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and western Wisconsin.
Looking elsewhere, showers have been accompanied by warmer temperatures across Argentina and Brazil. The trend should continue benefiting the developing summer crops, except for southern Brazil where below normal rainfall is anticipated.
Eastern Australia will see generous rain in the east which promises to boast summer crops.
The rainy season is in full swing across southeast Asia and locally heavy downpours across eastern sections of the region. Seasonal rainfall follows historical averages elsewhere.
