December Outlook: Chilly End To The Year For Northern Tier While South Remains Above Average

Here’s Your December Outlook

Just like in the beloved Christmas movie “The Year Without A Santa Claus,” it appears that Heat Miser and Snow Miser will be fighting over the thermostat this December.

Heading into the first month of winter, the country is split between those seeing temperatures plunge below average and those lingering in above-average warmth to end the year.

Will your weather outside be frightful? Or will Santa be wearing short sleeves when he gets to your house?

Let’s dive in.

Temperature Highlights

• Northern Tier Left Out In The Cold: Due to the weak La Nina conditions, December is expected to usher in a cold pattern change from the Northwest across to the Northeast. Arctic air from Canada is expected to plunge into the region for the first week of the month before retreating, allowing temperatures to moderate. But the cold is expected to pack another punch late-month.
• Southern Two-Thirds Linger Above Average: Warm holiday wishes may take on a whole new meaning for much of the rest of the country this December. Above-average warmth is forecast from the West Coast to parts of the mid-Atlantic. Those of you in the Southwest and Gulf Coast might want to ditch the ugly Christmas sweaters for something a little lighter.

Precipitation Highlights

• Northern Tier Not Just Cold, But Wet Too: The Midwest will be in the bullseye for above average precipitation to end the year, clearly showing La Niña's footprint. Much of the rest of the northern half of the country will be wetter than average as well. And before you start feeling down about a wet AND cold forecast — maybe you'll get a magical white Christmas!
• West, South Stay Dry: And yet another common theme with La Niña — much of the South is expected to stay drier than average, plus parts of the West. California and the Southeast will be the most below average for precipitation. Drier conditions in these areas could exacerbate existing drought conditions throughout the month of December.

(La Niña Is Here To Stay: What It Means For Winter)

Do you like colder temperatures to get in the holiday spirit? Or would you rather enjoy a little bit of unseasonable warmth? Let us know below!

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.