What does a 'weak La Niña' even mean? And what can Washington expect this winter?

A "wimpy La Niña" has been slated for winter 2024-25 in the Pacific Northwest, with normal temperatures, but also maybe cooler-than-normal temperatures.

What does all this even mean?

RELATED: Mudslide shuts down I-5 North in Bellingham following extreme rain

"This is going to be kind of a weak [La Niña], and that is problematic for our forecasts," Nick Bond, state climatologist emeritus, told KUOW.

The expected effects of a strong La Niña can be easier to nail down. But Bond notes that "there's kind of conflicting information about temperatures relative to normal," under a weak La Niña.

Washington state has been under an emergency drought declaration since April. Snowpack in the mountains has severely suffered over the past year (snowpack = summer water supply). The upcoming weak La Niña could be just what Washington needs right now.

“I think our snowpack is going to be reasonably good and healthy, and hopefully it would be sufficient for next summer's water supplies," Bond said.

La Niña comes along when water temperatures way out in the Pacific Ocean are cooler than normal. This influences weather around the globe in different ways. In the Pacific Northwest, it generally causes wetter and colder conditions. So when weather forecasters and climatologist see La Niña ahead, they expect more rain and colder temperatures.

RELATED: The U.S. gets a new national marine sanctuary, the first led by a tribe

"Especially the early part of the winter [2024], it will probably be a bit on the wet side, and the temperatures probably near normal in an average sense," Bond said. "As we get into the latter part of winter, when La Niña usually has its more profound effects, I would shade those temperatures a little bit to the cool side, remaining wet. And the consequence is we should have a decent snow pack going into next late spring and summer."

So winter 2024-25 will be wet and rainy, and eventually a bit colder than usual. Maybe some snow in the lowlands, but we'll see...

In other words, unpack your rubber boots, and switch out your North Face windbreaker with your North Face raincoat. And get your umbrella out of the back of the closet. You know, the one that you pretend you don't own, even brag that you don't own, but still have tucked away out of sight. You know who you are.

Bond added that he would not be surprised if some snow showed up in the lowlands (Seattle, Tacoma, and other areas closer to sea level) this winter, but it's uncertain how much.