NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center reports there is a 60% chance that a weak La Nina will develop this autumn and could last until March.

Scientists are closely watching the Pacific Ocean's temperature. A La Niña watch has been issued as they anticipate cooler water in the Pacific taking over which could have consequences for the peak of Atlantic hurricane season.

After a very warm February, some big weather changes are possible as we move into March.

The recent dry weather is beginning to take its toll on parts of the area, and it will likely get worse.

Some would say we’ve been lucky so make it this far into winter without any freezing nights. That is about to change.

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year, you’ll have to be ready to pack up the car and travel a few hundred miles.

We’re two months into the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season and atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season, according to the annual mid-season update issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service.

Get ready for a hotter summer compared to years past.

The Drought Vulnerability Index from Climate Central focuses on what states are exposed and sensitive to drought, as well as their ability to adapt. For Florida, that means we’re looking at increasing drought conditions heading into our fire season. Drought Vulnerability Index (Climate Matters)A state with a low vulnerability score can still experience drought conditions, but they likely have a stronger economy and robust adaptation measures making them more resilient than other states. Drought in Florida from 2000-2020 (NIDIS)Looking back, 2017 was an active fire season for those in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia with the West Mims fire. The states with the highest Drought Vulnerability Index include Oklahoma, Iowa and Montana.

With a La Nina climate pattern in place, southern parts of the U.S. may experience expanded and intensifying drought during the winter months ahead. More modest probabilities for warmer temperatures are forecast in the southern parts of the west coast, and from the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast. Above-average temperatures are also favored for Hawaii and western and northern Alaska. More modest chances for drier conditions are forecast in southern Alaska, and from California across the Rockies, Central Plains, and into the Southeast. Drought conditions are expected to improve in the northern Rockies, Northwest, New England, Alaska, and Hawaii over the coming months.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on November 30, was marked by tropical activity that churned busily from mid-August through October. NOAA’s outlook called for 10-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes and 2-4 major hurricanes, and accurately predicted the overall activity of the season. Hurricane Dorian is tied with three other hurricanes — the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert and 2005’s Hurricane Wilma — as the second strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin in terms of wind (185 mph). During the 2019 season, NOAA’s hurricane hunter aircraft and crews flew 57 missions over 430 hours, which along with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the Air Force Reserve, provided critical data that aided in storm forecasting and research. The 2020 hurricane season will officially begin on June 1 and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will provide its initial seasonal outlook in May.

The updated forecast was issued just ahead of the start of the most active hurricane period -- the roughly eight weeks that surround Sept. 10, when hurricane season hits its statistical peak. Just two months into the Atlantic hurricane season, the seasons so far has followed an average path. Two named storms, including one hurricane, were expected by Aug. 1 by National Hurricane Center experts. Last year saw an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with Hurricanes Florence and Michael slamming US coastlines with devastating effect. That means conditions could become more favorable for tropical development during the second half of this hurricane season, from September to Nov. 30.