Q1 temperature outlook: Split across U.S.

The National Weather Service recently released its first-quarter temperature forecast.

What’s happening: Although the southern swath of the U.S. — from Southern California to Texas, up through the Southeast — is leaning toward experiencing above-normal temperatures, much of the country faces equal chances of temperatures being above or below normal (the 30-year average).

• Only the northernmost parts of the country, from Washington state through Minnesota, are projected to be cooler than normal during the quarter. 
• Meanwhile, all of Florida, and parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia have 50 to 60 percent chances of temperatures being above normal, per the outlook.