Despite the influence of La Niña, December 2020 was the eighth-hottest December on record helping 2020 become the second-hottest year on record. 

January 2021 is favored to be wetter and warmer than average for much of the country.

November 2020 was the second-warmest November on record, which increases 2020's chance of becoming the warmest year on record to over 50%.

December 2020 and the start of the 2020-2021 winter looks warmer and drier than average for much of the country.

October 2020 was the fourth warmest October on record dating back to 1880, which makes it the lowest-ranked month so far in 2020.

November 2020 is favored to be warmer than average for much of the United States and drier than average across the southern US.

September 2020 was the hottest September on record for the globe, continuing a sweltering year. 

The latest maps from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center show where October 2020 is forecast to be much hotter and drier than average in the U.S. It's not a great outlook for the wildfire-affected West.