TYLER, Texas —
With NOAA releasing its winter prediction today, East Texans can expect a lot of winter precipitation.
Half of the United States will see warm conditions for November, December and January but this will be a different story for Texas.
Across the Lone Star State, temperatures will be right around average for the season. In East Texas, that looks like an average high of 68 in November, 60 in December and 58 in January. Lows usually drop to 40s in November and the 30s in December.
In terms of precipitation, it will be a winter of raincoats. Winter precipitation will be above average in East Texas. This means that all types of wet winter weather, including rain, ice and hail will be common throughout the season.
On the bright side, this means we have an increased likelihood of seeing snow this holiday season.
This weather pattern is typical of El Nino.
The impacts of El Nino are most present during the winter months. In an El Nino, the trade winds weaken and set up a warm current in the Pacific Ocean. This, in turn, moves the jet stream to the south and promotes wetter conditions in the south and along the gulf coast.
Comparatively, in a La Nina, a cold circulation is created and drier that average conditions persist through the south. This year, our ocean currents switched from strong La Nina to an El Nino circulation.
According to NOAA, our current El Nino circulation is forecasted to continue through the rest of the winter.
