May is expected to be warmer than average according to the outlook issued recently from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. The majority of the nation is expected to see above normal temperatures, other than the far northern tier of states. The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes have equal chances to see above or below average temperatures.
A warmer than usual May appears likely across much of the Lower 48 states, while increased chances for a wet month exist from the Great Lakes through Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. https://t.co/JI2DUvhln5 pic.twitter.com/V45AfVKE4C
— NWS Climate Prediction Center (@NWSCPC) April 15, 2021
A wetter than usual May is predicted from the Southeast through the Ohio Valley and into the Great Lakes. Drier than average weather is predicted in the Southern Plains and Four Corners region. This may lead to additional drought conditions for those areas.
The Climate Prediction Center noted that La Nina conditions are still being observed in the Pacific and are expected to continue for May, albeit diminishing, so typical La Nina impacts played a roll in the forecast for this month. Model forecasts, global weather pattern trends, soil moisture and sea surface temperatures were also considered.