
A weak La Niña system is predicted this winter, meaning meteorologists can't forecast whether the Aleutian Islands will experience higher or lower than normal temperatures and precipitation this season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center announced Oct. 17 that there are equal chances of below, near or above-average temperatures and precipitation throughout the region.
Meteorologist Aviva Braun with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Anchorage said since La Niña is predicted to be weak this year, conditions could go either way.
"It takes only one good storm or extreme event in any given area to throw the region off the climatology track," Braun said.

Typically, winter temperatures in the Aleutians are between 30 and 40 degrees. Braun attributes this to the region's maritime climate, which usually prevents extreme cold temperatures. While rain is the most common form of precipitation, she said the region normally sees about 80 inches of snow annually. However, Braun notes that this year's weak La Niña shows no clear signals as to how much snow the islands might receive.
For official forecasts from the NWS Anchorage office throughout the winter, go to weather.gov/afc.