La Nina Impacts Still Expected in Latest Seasonal Outlook

Pam Knox, Director of the UGA Weather Network and Agricultural Climatologist

The latest seasonal outlooks for temperature, precipitation, and seasonal drought were issued December 19. They still show the likely impact of the La Nina that is expected to be declared any time now. Temperatures across the Southeast are expected to be warmer than normal in most parts of the region and precipitation is expected to be drier than normal in southern portions of the region.

If these predictions hold true, we can expect the expansion of drought across the region through early spring, which could lead to soil moisture shortages during the early part of the growing season. The warmer temperatures could result in lack of chill hours for some fruit crops, but for the ones that got enough cold weather since October 1, it could mean an early bloom of fruit trees and bushes, which could become more vulnerable to a seasonal or late frost if it occurs.

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