As we've mentioned in the past, a gradual shift to a La Niña pattern was likely. When we mention terms like La Niña and El Niño, this references the overall climate pattern and not the near-term weather pattern. During La Niña, the trade winds intensify and cold ocean water rises, resulting in cooler-than-average ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific. These cold ocean waters and changes in the atmosphere affect the position of the jet stream and move it northward. The jet stream sits over the ocean, taps into its moisture, influences the path storms take and increases precipitation chances. The question is, what does this shift mean for Indiana's upcoming winter? 2024-25 Winter Outlook: Slightly warmer and wetter Last year we had an El Niño winter (Indianapolis: 8.2" of snow, 13" below normal) and the three winters before that were back-to-back-to-back La Niñas. The past three winters were correct predictions from NOAA. When we shift from an El Niño to La Niña pattern, the jet stream becomes impacted thanks to the cooler ocean water temperatures. This pattern typically favors milder temperatures and above-normal precipitation. The seasonal outlook released by NOAA is favoring exactly that for Indiana. The winter (December-February) normals for Indianapolis are as follows: Average Temperature: 31.43° Average Snowfall: 21.2" Average Precipitation: 8.47" 2024-25 Winter Temperature Outlook 2024-25 Winter Precipitation Outlook With previous La Niña winters and seasonal outlooks, these are often a flip of the coin. We'll likely see large temperature swings thanks to the more active jet stream. Storms will likely track closer to the Midwest compared to the El Niño winter last year. Many of these storms could be "clipper" systems from the northwest that will be quick-moving in nature. In an update issued last week, the Climate Prediction Center lowered its chances of a La Niña occurring this fall and winter. The odds it forms by November are now at 60%, so conditions for a strong La Niña are less favorable. Will it be cold? Yes. Will it snow? Yes. Remember, it's winter after all! Since the shovels and snow blowers did not get a lot of usage last winter, you may want to dust them off and keep them handy! The Weather Authority is always on top of what's to come, especially as winter gets underway. You can find the latest forecast at fox59.com/weather or cbs4indy.com/weather.