NOAA's Climate Prediction Center released its annual Winter Outlook on Thursday.
Officials said the outlook gives the best possible scientific prediction of how the winter may shape up so local and state governments can plan their efforts.
The seasonal outlook does not project where and when snowstorms may hit because the strength and track of winter storms are generally not predictable more than a week in advance, officials said.
The outlook predicts a typical winter here in Iowa with normal precipitation and temperatures expected.
Below-average precipitation in the Southwest, Southeast and the Alaskan panhandle.
Above-average precipitation in the Northern Rockies, particularly over Montana and northern Wyoming and in Hawaii.
Below-average temperatures in the Northern Plains and the Alaskan Panhandle.
Above-average temperatures in the Southwest, the South-Central U.S., parts of the Southeast, New England and western Alaska.
The rest of the country falls into the "equal chance" category, meaning that there is not a strong or reliable enough climate signal in these areas to favor one category over the others, so they have an equal chance for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures and/or precipitation.
"It's a challenge to produce a long-term winter forecast without the climate pattern of an El Nino or a La Nina in place out in the Pacific because those climate patterns often strongly influence winter temperature and precipitation here in the United States," said Mike Halpert, acting director of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "Without this strong seasonal influence, winter weather is often affected by short-term climate patterns, such as the Arctic Oscillation, that are not predictable beyond a week or two. So it’s important to pay attention to your local daily weather forecast throughout the winter."
Officials said winter precipitation is likely to offer little relief to the drought-stricken U.S. Southwest and drought is likely to develop across parts of the Southeast.