Latest seasonal forecast outlooks and drought updates
Throughout this past summer and more specifically in July, drought conditions improved thanks to heavier spurts of above average rainfall. However, August and the first half of September has told a different tale with rainfall becoming less prevalent.
The latest drought monitor released just this morning showing increasing areas covered in moderate drought conditions. This is alarming as we are continously pushing through the driest months of the year.
When looking into the latest seasonal outlooks which were also updated and released earlier today, a transition into a La Nina ENSO-cycle is forecasted across the tropical Pacific Ocean. During typical La Nina years, Missouri will see near average temperatures and wetter than average conditions going into the later fall and winter months.
The latest seasonal outlooks depicts near average precipitation totals during the months of October, November, and December near average precipitation totals for Mid-Missouri.
Temperature trends for this time period look to fall more in line for La Nina patterns for the southern half of the country with warmer than average conditions forecasted. The biggest change seen is the carrying of those warmer than average conditions further north encompassing most of Missouri.
These forecast produce overall three-month averages which means that there still could be shorter term weather events that could prove to be cooler than average or wetter than average if the appropriate fronts slide through Mid-Missouri.
