Authorities cool concerns after issuing winter forecast with worrying predictions: ‘expected to continue’
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently released its weather forecast for the upcoming season, and it looks like many regions of the United States may experience warm, dry conditions this winter. Among them is North Carolina, which is already dealing with a drought this fall.
What’s going on?
Models for December 2025 through February 2026 show that “a weak La Niña is expected to continue through the winter,” according to North Carolina-based WLOS News 13.
La Niña is one of the Pacific Ocean weather patterns that has the greatest impact on climate. When the waters of the Pacific Ocean are cooler than normal, the Pacific Northwest experiences a cool, southern climate, while most of the United States experiences a hot, humid climate.
Wlos reported that Asheville typically receives 11 to 12 inches of snow each year. Unfortunately for winter weather enthusiasts and forecasters, Noah’s forecast shows that North Carolina is likely to experience warmer temperatures this season and less rain.
Already worried about its right, the reduced snow forecast could extend the impact of the state’s ongoing drought. As the Raleigh in News & Observer reported in late October, “Much of the state is unusually dry or droughty after weeks of low-to-moderate weather and looking ahead to what could be a fall and winter.”
Why is this conflict?
A dry dry year or a single warm year is unheard of. But most scientists now agree that human activity — such as the burning of fossil fuels as a dirty energy source, deforestation, and more — is driving global temperatures higher and higher.
Our global warming has far-reaching consequences. This includes the potential for extreme weather events, such as extreme heat and drought, each with its own cascade of adverse effects. And with North Carolina, like other states, already experiencing unusual dry and drought conditions, the lack of snow this winter adds a little more.
The snowpack – the accumulation of snow on melting ground – serves as an important natural environment. Less snow stored in winter can lead to reduced water storage in the spring and summer, with potential impacts on agricultural growing seasons and drinking water throughout the year.
Hot, humid conditions can also increase wildfire danger. North Carolina has already seen 4,866 Wildfires by 2025.
What is being done?
The North Carolina Near North Advisory Council provided guidance for those already seeing unusual, moderate drought, and severe drought conditions across the state. Residents are advised to follow their areas ‘limited’ drought advisories, “which may include loss of leaky water delivery systems, and limiting non-routine water use, depending on the area.
For those who feel called to take action with long-term mitigation, making the switch to cleaner, renewable energy sources may be on the to-do list. Installing solar panels on your home is another way to help reduce the heat emission pollution that drives bad weather. This process can feel overwhelming, but EnergysAge offers a free online service to help connect potential buyers with local installation and compare quotes, with the ability to save customers up to $10,000 in installation.
Activists have been working to strengthen North Carolina’s commitment to a clean energy transition at the state level. For example, the State passed House Bill 951 in 2021, which outlines strategies to transition from dirty energy sources to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives. The bill also set a goal to reduce the state’s generation of greenhouse gas pollution by 70 percent (compared to 2005 levels) by 2030.
Some lawmakers are seeking 2025 to offset that 2030 goal with Senate Bill 266. However, Governor Josh Stein ruled it out in July, saying, “In a statement,” We need more reductions in natural gas and its dynamic markets. “
To emphasize the financial consequences of supporting clean energy, he continued, “this bill goes back to our commitment to the state of reducing carbon emissions, sending the wrong signal to businesses that want to be part of our clean economy.”
Indeed, with drinking water and agricultural production also on the line due to drought and high temperatures, the consideration of the economic effects of the area is many.
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