Drought a Growing Concern in Latest Spring Weather Outlook

The spring season is usually ripe for weather extremes. This year is setting up to fit that trend across the U.S. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center recently released its 2025 U.S. Spring Outlook. The coming months (April-June) will likely feature many specials across the extreme weather menu. However, drought appears to be the largest growing concern. Farming operations that ramp up production during this time will be watching closely.

NOAA forecasters are predicting above-average temperatures for a large portion of the country. On top of that, drought conditions will persist in the Southwest and are likely to expand elsewhere.

On the Dry Side

According to NOAA forecasters, moderate-to-exceptional drought conditions currently exist across more than 40% of the Continental U.S. Drought conditions are predicted to continue in the Southwest and parts of the Rocky Mountains. Drought development appears likely across the central and southern Great Plains.

The only regions where precipitation looks to be above-average are some areas of the Great Lakes as well as in northern and western Alaska.

Turning the Heat Up

NOAA’s spring outlook says above-average temperatures are likely across much of the U.S., including locations that recently experienced colder-than-average temperatures and unusual snowfall during the winter.

For April through June, the highest chances for above-normal temperatures are in Central and South Florida, as well as an area stretching from the western Gulf Coast to southern Utah and eastern Nevada.

Climate Patterns

Going into winter 2024-2025, La Niña was the prevailing climate phase. Now, it looks like we’re transitioning from a weak La Niña into a neutral climate phase. What will this mean as we head into the Atlantic hurricane season? Initial long-range 2025 hurricane season forecasts are starting to be released. If this climate phase holds serve through the summer, we’re likely to see above-average hurricane outlooks. Stay tuned.

For more spring weather outlook details from NOAA, visit noaa.gov.