Seasonal Update: Near-Average Spring 2009 Forecast for U.S.

Images (click to enlarge): Spring (March-April-May) 2009 temperature and precipitation forecasts, 90-day average temperatures and departures ending Feb. 17, from Climate Prediction Center.

The seasonal forecast for meteorological spring (March-April-May) 2009 was issued today by the NOAA/NWS Climate Prediction Center. Equal chances of above, near, or below average temperatures are expected across most of the country. The exceptions are the Southwest through the western Gulf Coast, where chances of warmer than average temperatures are up to 50%, and the Pacific Northwest, where cooler than average readings are forecast. States with primarily warm temperatures predicted are: Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Cool temperatures are predicted for the state of Washington, most of Oregon, and northern Idaho.

Precipitation is also expected to be near average over a large area, with drier conditions predicted from the Southwest through the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

Meanwhile, with 10 days left in winter, temperatures for the last 90 days have been running warmer than average over most of the Southeast and nearly all of the western half of the U.S. Cooler than average temperatures have prevailed over New England, the Mid Atlantic, and the Midwest, as well as central and southern Florida and the extreme Pacific Northwest.