State climatologist provides winter outlook for Indiana

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service Central Region have released their winter outlook.

La Niña conditions factor heavily into the 2020 winter predictions.

Beth Hall, the Indiana state climatologist with the Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue University, said a La Niña is the opposite of an El Niño, which are global patterns that start in the equilateral Pacific Ocean.

Hall said these weather patterns can be extraordinarily strong in strength and La Niña weather typically hits Indiana in the winter, while it is summertime in the Pacific.

Hall said the effects of the weather patterns do not typically affect Indiana until the October, November and December time period.

“The coastlines are where the biggest impact is,” which includes California and Florida, Hall said, adding that the impacts of La Niña last longer there from around four to six months.

Hall said that since Indiana is so far inland it does not experience the same impact of La Niña and its impacts typically do not last as long.

“We are pretty confident it will be a warmer than average winter,” she said, adding the lows some nights will not be that low.

Hall said she does not think everyone’s energy bills will be as high this winter, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be cold periods.

Hall said there is some indication it will be a wetter than normal in December, January and February, but more so near the Great Lakes area of Indiana and down by the Ohio River Valley.