@NOAAClimate has released its 2020-21 #WinterOutlook. See below for details related to DC: #mdwx #vawx #dcwx #winter (1/3)

Overall, winter is expected to be slightly above average with near average precip here in DC. We are going to be near the jet stream throughout winter, so small shifts can have a big impact... (2/3)

In La Niñas, a southeast ridge can form, making it warm and dry here. But that will be somewhat balanced by bouts of very cold air and storms, including maybe some Miller B noreasters. December is expected to the coldest month (3/3)

This winter could be similar to 2017-18. While that winter was 2.7 degrees above average as a whole, there was a period of 12 straight days at 10-20 degrees below average, the 5th coldest such period in 50 years... #mdwx #vawx #dcwx #winter (4/x)

2017-18 also had the noreaster barrage of March 2018, with 4 noreasters in 4 weeks and 22 straight days of below average temps. Something like that could set up heavy snow anywhere in the mid-Atlantic and northeast (5/x)

If you look at NOAA’s forecast for 17-18, it is surprisingly similar to this year’s (top of this thread) for both temp and precip, except for a bit lower confidence in the above average temp zone (6/x)

This just goes to show that it’s not like winter will be hot and snowless. There will be fluxuations that can bring more snow or cold for a period of time. So don’t get discouraged snow lovers! This can still be a good year! #snow (7/x)

Also, similar to how March was very wintry in 2018, you can see the latest outlook for Feb-Mar-Apr leans a bit cooler and wetter. The Jan-Feb-Mar is also a bit less warm than Dec-Jan-Feb (the official winter outlook)