There now is little doubt among private economic forecasters that the Federal Reserve will raise short-term interest rates next week.

About 97% of business and academic economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal in recent days predicted Fed officials will raise the benchmark federal-funds rate Wednesday. Just 3% said they expected officials would wait until next year to move rates up. Last month, 92% of forecasters predicted a December rate increase.

Economists have become more confident, too, in predicting the Fed will move this month. The forecasters on average estimated the probability of liftoff at the Dec. 15-16 meeting at 87%, up from 71% last month and 48% in October. They are in agreement with financial markets—fed-funds futures on Wednesday suggested an 85% probability of a December rate increase, according to CME Group .

“The table is set, all the Fed needs to do is show up to serve the meal,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial.

Since their policy meeting in late October, Fed officials have sent strong signals they might begin to raise the fed-funds rate in December after holding it near zero for seven years. Chairwoman Janet Yellen last week told lawmakers the U.S. economy “is doing well and that is the reason that it is a live option for us in our December meeting to discuss…whether or not it’s appropriate to raise rates.” A solid jobs report for November appeared to clear the way for such a move.