Meanwhile, drier-than-average conditions are expected from the Four Corners region of the Southwest to the Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic states. Green-shaded areas in the first image above are expected to see above-average precipitation,

The NOAA winter forecast does not specify how much precipitation will fall as rain, snow or ice, only that more or less is likely overall. Snow forecasts depend upon the strength and track of winter storms, which generally cannot be predicted more than a week in advance, according to Weather Service meteorologists.

The National Weather Service released its winter outlook​ and the La Niña forecast on the coldest morning so far in Massachusetts.

The emergence of a La Niña weather pattern could have an impact on the types of winter weather conditions we see in the U.S., including NYC. Here's what to know.

Although there is no guarantee how this La Niña will play out, there are some general trends for how it could impact winter weather.

La Niña typically leads to storms taking a northerly track during the winter months, which could result in wetter-than-average conditions for the entire northern tier of the U.S.

The influence of La Niña varies based on location and the season, and no two La Niña winters are the same. A northerly jet stream leads to a more active winter in the north, but

La Niña refers to the colder ocean waters off the coast of Peru that spark different weather activity for regions around the globe through the jet stream. Typically, La Niña brings colder temperatures and more precipitation to winters in the northern U.