Prognostic Discussion for Monthly Outlook 
NWS Climate Prediction Center College Park MD 
830 AM EDT Thu Sep 16 2021 
 
 
30-DAY OUTLOOK DISCUSSION FOR OCTOBER 2021 
 
The October 2021 outlook is prepared with a backdrop of most likely developing 
La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean both in the ocean and 
atmosphere. The MJO, although not as coherent and well defined as during the 
months of July and August remains a factor in the outlook as does antecedent 
soil moisture conditions and coastal sea surface temperature anomalies. 
Statistical, hybrid and dynamical model based forecast guidance contribute 
significantly to the October outlook. 
 
For temperature, the outlook depicts favored above-normal monthly mean October 
temperatures for much of the contiguous U.S. with the region stretching from 
the Southwest eastward to cover the Great Plains and extending across the Ohio 
Valley, Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The greatest odds are 
generally in the center of this highlighted region for a variety of factors 
such as antecedent surface moisture departures from normal, prospects for 
potential developing La Nina impacts as well as dynamical model forecast 
information. Although the eventual evolution of the MJO and so its impacts on 
the U.S. are uncertain given its current state, the MJO would favor 
above-normal temperatures for much of the central and eastern contiguous U.S. 
during the first two weeks of October. 
 
Favored unsettled conditions and associated enhanced cloudiness and rainfall 
increase uncertainty near the Gulf Coast and so Equal-Chances (EC) is depicted 
in this region as well as in the Pacific Northwest where conflicting signals  in 
climate forecast tools and information are present. 
 
Favored troughing to the north of Alaska and anomalous north to south 
meridional flow supports elevated odds for below-normal temperatures for 
portions of interior and southeast Alaska and the Alaska Panhandle. This is 
supported by much of the available dynamical model guidance as well as 
potential impacts from developing La Nina conditions over the next six weeks. 
Above-normal sea surface temperatures in nearby coastal waters for the 
Aleutians and southwest Alaska as well as some dynamical model guidance support 
modest odds for above-normal temperatures for southwest Alaska and the 
Aleutians. 
 
The October precipitation outlook is influenced by potential background La Nina 
and MJO impacts in some areas as well as both statistical forecast tools and 
dynamical model guidance. Elevated odds for below-normal October total 
precipitation amounts is depicted for a region from California eastward to 
include the Southwest, the central Rockies and the central and southern Great 
Plains -- based on potential La Nina impacts and support from much of the 
dynamical model guidance. 
 
The most consistent signal in the forecast tools is for elevated probabilities 
for above-normal precipitation for the Pacific Northwest as depicted by model 
guidance and consistent with La Nina impacts for this time of the year. This 
signal extends northward to include the Alaska Panhandle. Anticipated anomalous 
north to south meridional flow supports and is the basis for a small, generally 
weak tilt in the odds for below-normal precipitation for the south-central 
portion of the state. 
 
Across the eastern CONUS, a region of elevated odds for above-normal 
precipitation is depicted from the Gulf coast, eastern seaboard and for parts 
of the Great Lakes and Northeast. The southern areas of this highlighted area 
are primarily based on potential tropical cyclone related impacts linked to the 
climatological secondary peak in tropical cyclone activity in October for areas 
in the northwest Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. In addition, a potential 
factor later in the month could be the MJO influence of above-normal 
precipitation in this region linked to MJO RMM phase 8 through 2. The forecast 
in this area is at odds for much of the dynamical model guidance where near- to 
below-normal monthly precipitation amounts are forecast, thus there is 
considerable uncertainty in the forecast in this area. 
 
The forecast for above-normal precipitation further north in the mid-Atlantic, 
much of the Great Lakes and Northeast is primarily related to long term 
positive precipitation trends  and supplemented by signals  from some of the 
dynamical model forecast output. 
 
FORECASTER: Jon Gottschalck 
 
The climatic normals are based on conditions between 1991 and 2020, following 
the World Meteorological Organization convention of using the most recent 3 
complete decades as the climate reference period.  The probability anomalies 
for temperature and precipitation based on these new normals better represent 
shorter term climatic anomalies than the forecasts based on older normals. 
 
An updated monthly outlook... for Oct will be issued on Thu September 30 2021 
 
These outlooks are based on departures from the 1991-2020 base period. 
$$