The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has released its three-month outlook for the upcoming meteorological fall that begins in less than two weeks. In it, the agency indicates Colorado will see continued mild temperatures but also increased chances for precipitation.

For temperatures, the agency gives most of Colorado a 33 to 40% chance of seeing above average temperatures. This would, unfortunately, continue with what we have experienced thus far this year.

In terms of precipitation, things do look a bit better. The three-month outlook indicates a 40 to 50% chance of above average levels for most of Colorado. Some areas north and east have a 33 to 40% chance.

There has been talk about an unusually strong El Niño developing that will impact the Northern Hemisphere. Its effects on Colorado, however, are less than clear. We are far inland and largely removed from ocean impacts.

However, El Niño does oftentimes result in greater than average snowfall for the southern and southwestern parts of the state. Further north, its effects are less predictable and we are more dependent on individual storms and the track they take.