(KTEN) – With cold conditions prevailing across Texoma as we move through the month of February, many are focusing their attention to the upcoming summer season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its 2023 Summer Outlook on February 16.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and precipitation amounts will compare to the average and how drought conditions are expected to change.

With La Niña conditions looking to transition into a more ENSO-neutral phase during the early summer months, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above average temperatures during the summer months.

Above average temperatures are forecast this summer by the CPC
Above average temperatures are forecast this summer by the CPC KTEN

 

Equal chances at both above and below average precipitation are forecast for Texoma as well.

Equal chances for above and below average precipitation is forecast this summer by the CPC
Equal chances for above and below average precipitation is forecast this summer by the CPC KTEN

 

The outlook also calls for our dreaded drought conditions to remain, but slowly improve from February to June.

The drought is forecast to remain, but improve through the spring season
The drought is forecast to remain, but improve through the spring season Climate Prediction Center

 

According to Jon Gottschalck with the Climate Prediction Center, “the nature of a probabilistic forecast means that other outcomes remain possible, but are not likely.” All we can do is hope for much more rainfall this summer than last year so our drought improves rapidly.