Describes typical La Niña winter patterns, Madden-Julian Oscillation, Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation; give outlook for winter temperatures and precipitation. 

Defines La Niña; gives outlook for winter temperatures and precipitation; possible effects of La Niña on the Great Lakes region, including agriculture, the economy, water levels and lake ice. 

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for June – August 2017.  Dated September 2017.  

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Northeast Region for June – August 2017.  Dated September 2017. 

Summer precipitation was variable, with drought developing in Maine and extreme rain and flash flooding in other areas. During summer, the Northeast averages 28 tornadoes (based on NOAA's Storm Prediction Center data from 1989–2013). This summer, 38 tornadoes touched down in the region: 11 in Pennsylvania, 10 in New York, 7 in Maine, 4 in West Virginia, 3 in Maryland, 2 in New Jersey, and 1 in Delaware. 

The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC), and the American Association of State Climatologists (AASC), hosted three Northeast Drought and Climate Outlook Forums as record-breaking drought expanded in the Northeast in 2016-2017. Participants included stakeholders from around the region and across federal, state, local, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for March – May 2017.  Dated June 2017. 

At the end of May, Lake Ontario’s water level was 82 cm (32 in) above average, which is the highest it’s been since records began in 1918. The high water levels led to widespread flooding and erosion along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Lake Erie was also close to reaching its all-time high water level. All the other lakes were at least 22 cm (8.7 in) above average and all were higher than they have been since at least 1998.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Northeast Region for March – May 2017.  Dated June 2017.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Great Lakes Region for December 2016 – February 2017.  Dated March 2017. 

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Northeast Region for December 2016 – February 2017.  Dated March 2017.

Drought conditions lingered, but generally improved during winter. For details, see Climate Overview and Impacts sections.

A nor’easter dropped several inches of sleet in Maine from January 24–26. The National Weather Service said, “It was likely one of the biggest sleet storms in northern Maine during the past 75 years.” Elsewhere, strong winds and rough seas led to coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Summarizes information and results of two Northeast drought forums held in winter 2017, the first in New York State on Feb. 27 and the second in Massachusetts on March 1. The meetings was designed to