2024 Seasonal Weather Trends for the U.S.

Almost everyone living in the United States will have something in common in the upcoming months: warmer than normal temperatures. That's according to the experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and their new 2024 seasonal outlook. Let's delve into the seasonal weather trends expected in the U.S. from June through August.

The biggest change coming to the United States in terms of weather is that the experts at the NOAA predict we'll switch from an El Niño to ENSO-neutral withing the next month. Also, there's a 49% chance of a La Niña developing between June and August and a %69 chance of it developing between July and September. The weather forecasters at Weather.com also agree that the end of our El Niño is coming, stating, "El Niño, the periodic warming of water in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator, is fading fast." According to NASA's SpacePlace, "La Niña is a weather pattern that begins in the Pacific Ocean. Warm ocean water and clouds move west during a La Niña. This means that places like Indonesia and Australia can get much more rain than usual. And places like the southwestern United States can be very dry." In turn, NASA says that an , "El Niño is a weather pattern. In El Niño years, ocean waters along South America and California warm above normal temperatures. Many rain clouds form over this warm part of the ocean and move inland, dumping more rain than usual in South and Central America and in the United States."

Even with the La Niña creeping in, the NOAA weather experts say June, July and August are expected to bring above-normal temperatures across America, when it comes to seasonal weather trends. In fact, the only areas in the continental U.S. with "equal chances" of normal temperatures as opposed to a likelihood for above-normal temperatures are the Dakotas and small parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Montana. The areas of the U.S. with the highest chances for above-normal temperatures include the Northeast and Southwest, with the rest of the country having mainly a "likely above" or "leaning above" chance of those above-normal temperatures. This warmer temperature trend is in line with what the world has been experiencing, too. Last year was actually the world's warmest year since records started being taken back in the 1850s. As for seasonal weather trends with precipitation, that's more of a mixed bag. The wettest areas of the U.S. are generally expected to be in the Southeast and Northeast, and the driest areas are expected to land out West and in the Great Plains. I love hot weather, so I'm ready for a scorcher but hope the incoming La Niña doesn't make this winter too brutal.

Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it's part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I've certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?

Before we get to the main tips, let's get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It's simple but important. You don't want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.

Another mistake some people make is not taking "watches" seriously. For example, you might see that there's a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it's just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don't do it. "A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service explains. We'll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.

Let's get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.

A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, "a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely." A watch is where "the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain." Finally, an advisory means, "hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely."

During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. "The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes," the National Weather Service says. Also, you don't want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don't have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to "use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris."

Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, "An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries," the National Weather Service says. "Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags."

This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they're right. "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line," the National Weather Service advises.

Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. "Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures," the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of "water or non-alcoholic fluids."

Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to "leave immediately if ordered." They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to "take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can," and "stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors."

Weather isn't just about thunderstorms and tornados. Air quality is a big part of weather events these days, too. Be on the lookout for air quality alerts in your area. If you have respiratory issues, you should wear a mask when out and about in bad air quality. You should also say inside if the air quality is especially bad.

Even on a perfect weather day, if you're at the beach, there are risks. The NOAA states, "To stay safe, you need to stay aware of the weather, the ocean, tide, and what is going on around you." They add, "Storms, such as thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes far out at sea can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach, even on a sunny day!"