La Niña Watch: What It Means for Florida and Southeastern States

In September, below-average temperatures in the Pacific Ocean were recorded, indicating a shift in the ESNO cycle. At the beginning of October, there was a 55% chance of a La Niña developing late fall and lasting until late winter. Since there’s only a La Niña Watch issued, this upcoming weather pattern isn’t confirmed, but it’s highly likely. If an advisory is issued, then La Niña conditions are active. 

During the La Niña cycle, only one jet stream impacts the U.S., and it sits over the northern part of the country. During an El Niño event, two jet streams form, one covering the North and the other hovering over the South. With only one jet stream in the North, storms will be funneled into the northern states, while the South will have a quieter storm season. 

That’s why states like Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and those in Louisiana will experience warmer temperatures and less precipitation. States in the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Ohio Valley are expected to experience wetter conditions, which may lead to flooding. This trend isn’t guaranteed and varies depending on other ongoing climate patterns, but the hallmark of La Niña is a distinct split between a dry South and a wet North. 

Absolutely, during La Niña years, there are more named storms in the Atlantic and Gulf, raising the chances of these storms making landfall. This happens because of changing wind patterns and temperatures, which makes it easier for storms to form and persist. 

La Niña reshapes the jet stream and storm track across the whole country, which impacts each region. The Southwest is typically drier and warmer, while the Pacific Northwest is wetter and cooler. The Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions are wetter, experiencing more frequent storms, and the North is slightly warmer. The Upper Midwest is colder and snowier.