Photo: Aditya Vyas on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 17, 2024


On October 17, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its forecast for the upcoming winter months of December 2024 through February 2025. 

This season, the main focus is a La Nina pattern, which typically brings cool temperatures and higher precipitation than normal to the northern portion of the US. "La Nina conditions are expected to develop later this fall and typically lead to a more northerly storm track during the winter months, leaving the southern tier of the country warmer and drier," NOAA said in a release. 

Locally, temperature patterns for the area are forecasted to bring equal chances for above-normal or below-normal temperatures. 

 Image: NOAA

Much of the Great Lakes Region, including Cook and portions of Lake County, has a 40-50% chance of above-average precipitation. NOAA forecasts that this winter will bring much-needed drought relief to those areas. 

 Image: NOAA

Depending on how temperature patterns swing, this news could be positive for some and negative for others. While average high temperatures typically stay well below the level at which precipitation would fall as rain versus snow, as last year showed, it isn't unheard of. 

For reference, here are the average high temperatures and low temperatures for Cook County. 

The average high temperatures:

• December: 20 degrees Fahrenheit
• January: 16 degrees Fahrenheit
• February: 23 degrees Fahrenheit

The average low temperatures:

• December: 3 degrees Fahrenheit
• January: -6 degrees Fahrenheit
• February: -1 degrees Fahrenheit

The average precipitation levels:

• December: 2.8 inches
• January: 2.5 inches
• February: 2.1 inches

The next 3-month Seasonal Outlook will be released at the end of November for the months of March, April, and May.