Oncor Meteorologist Shares Fall Weather Outlooks

FAQs

Q: These outlooks don't seem very specific. What is their benefit?

A: Seasonal forecasts are meant to be used a guide for general weather trends over several months. They do not offer insights into day-to-day weather, as forecast accuracy beyond about 7-10 days is poor. This means that specific, daily weather forecasts for a span of three months would likely be riddled with error! The benefit of a seasonal forecast is identifying overall trends.

Q: How do these outlooks work?

A: These seasonal outlooks come from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Climate Prediction Center (CPC). They are based on several factors, including the presence of El Niño or La Niña. This is often referred to as ENSO (El Niño/Southern Oscillation). As of mid-September, the CPC said La Niña was likely to develop this fall.

Q: What does a developing La Niña mean for our weather?

A: La Niña typically results in warmer, drier weather for Texas and much of the southern U.S. This is due to jet streams being displaced further north. We do see this warmer, drier trend reflected in our seasonal outlooks.

Q: What's the best way to keep up with my day-to-day weather this season?

A: Find a trusted, local source of weather information and check it daily. A good example is your favorite news station. There's a good chance they have a mobile app you can use and check frequently. Checking your local forecast can help you make informed decisions in times of inclement or severe weather.

Oncor Stands Ready

Oncor works diligently all year to prepare our equipment and facilities for the changing seasons, including the colder months. We also closely monitor short-term and seasonal weather and forecast data.

We use both in-house meteorologists and a third-party weather monitoring service year-round, allowing us to remain prepared to respond to potential weather impacts that may threaten our service area. Our customers can rest assured Oncor is always ready to respond when weather threatens our service area.

This information is provided by Oncor's in-house meteorologist , Kaiti Blake. Kaiti is an AMS certified broadcast meteorologist with more than 10 years of forecast & broadcast experience.