La Nina watch issued, NWS forecaster discusses how it could affect Arkansas’ winter weather

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center recently issued a La Nina Watch for late fall and this winter. While it’s several months out, if La Nina does develop, it can have a big impact on the weather in Arkansas.
Dennis Cavanaugh is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock. He explains why weather forecasters have to watch the temperatures of the Pacific Ocean thousands of miles away.
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Cavanaugh says it’s La Nina and El Nino that usually drive what seasonal outlooks look like in the US.

So what will our winter look like this upcoming season? Cavanaugh says it depends on what happens with the equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean over the next several months, but if La Nina sets up, we can expect above normal temperatures.

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One thing that is concerning during a La Nina winter is an increase of severe weather outbreaks according to Cavanaugh.

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Cavanaugh says one fascinating thing about the equatorial waters is what causes them to change in temperature.

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Cavanaugh says we should know more about if La Nina will be setting up by the end of September.

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