(NewsNation) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its forecasts for the winter of 2024-2025.

Climate experts predict the U.S. will slowly transition into a La Niña pattern that could bring wetter-than-average conditions for the north and drier-than-average conditions for the south.

La Nina is part of a natural climate cycle that can cause extreme weather across the planet – and its effects vary from place to place.

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The forecast for December 2024 to February 2025 contains information on likely conditions across the country in terms of temperature, precipitation and drought.

“This winter, an emerging La Nina is expected to impact upcoming winter patterns, especially our precipitation forecasts,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Climate Prediction Center’s Operational Prediction Branch.

The Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions are more likely to see above-average precipitation this season, meaning Michigan, Ohio and Indiana could see more rain and snowfall.

Washington, Oregon and Northern Idaho could also experience a wet winter.

Meanwhile, drier than normal conditions could affect the South and Southwest, including parts of Florida, Georgia, Arizona and New Mexico. The Southern Plains (Texas, Oklahoma and a small portion of southwestern Kansas) may also see less than average rainfall.

As for temperatures, NOAA predicts they will be warmer than average across much of the southern US

This warmth is expected along the Gulf Coast – in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – and extends up the East Coast through Georgia, the Carolinas and as far north as New England. Warmer than normal temperatures are also likely in parts of the Great Lakes region and Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, cooler than average temperatures are expected for the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains. Temperatures may be below average in Washington, Oregon, Montana and North Dakota, as well as in some areas of western Alaska.

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For regions struggling with drought, the prospects offer good and bad news. Drought relief is expected in parts of Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

NewsNation’s Max Tsaparis emphasized that NOAA’s forecast is an indicator of overall trends. Tsaparis says we should not compare the coming winter with the last winter, because the climate cycle is completely different this year.

NewsNation’s affiliate “The Hill” contributed to this report.

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