According to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, most of the western U.S. is expected to experience above-average temperatures winter, while the eastern U.S. could see a range of conditions, from above-average to below-average temperatures.

The Western U.S. is likely to experience above-average temperatures due to a combination of factors, including the La Niña climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean, which is characterized by unusually cool ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, and a strong jet stream that is expected to keep cold air masses in the Northern U.S.

In the Eastern U.S., the forecast is less certain, with some models predicting above-average temperatures and others below-average temperatures. This is due in part to the influence of the North Atlantic Ocean, which can affect weather patterns in the eastern U.S.

Overall, NOAA predicts that the winter will be warmer than average for the contiguous U.S. as a whole, with above-average temperatures expected in the West and a mix of above-average and below-average temperatures in the East.