Winter Forecast: Above Average Temperatures, Southern Drought

Above average precipitation is still anticipated for the Pacific Northwest, and in the Great Lakes and Tennessee Valley.

"La Niņa strengthened during October, making it even more likely that the United States will see below-average precipitation in the already drought-stricken regions of the Southwest and the Southeast this winter," said Michael Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center.

La Niņa is a periodic cooling trend of the surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Halpert said, "Recent sea surface temperatures indicate we have moderate La Niņa conditions in place over the equatorial Pacific which we expect to continue into early 2008."

On average, for December 2007 through February 2008, NOAA seasonal forecasters predict above average temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic states and southern sections of the Northeast in response to the long-term warming trend.

La Niņa favors drier than average conditions along the mid-Atlantic coast. As always, says Halpert, snowfall for the region will depend on other climate factors, which are difficult to anticipate more than one to two weeks in advance.

The drought-plagued Southeast is likely to remain drier than average due to La Niņa, while temperatures are expected to be above average.

In the Great Lakes and Tennessee Valley, temperatures and precipitation should both be above average.

The south-central Plains should see drier-than-average conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures. Above-average temperatures are also expected in the central Plains. The northern Plains has equal chances of above, near, or below average temperature and precipitation.

In the Northwest, there are equal chances for above, near, or below average temperatures. Precipitation should be above average in much of the region due to La Niņa.

Much of California is anticipated be drier than average in response to La Niņa, while there are equal chances of above, near, or below average temperatures.

Drought conditions are expected to persist in the Southwest due to La Niņa, and temperatures are likely to be above average.

Northern Alaska is expect to be milder than average, while the rest of Alaska has equal chances of above, near, or below average temperatures and precipitation.

In Hawaii, precipitation is expected to be above average with above average temperatures in the western Islands. The eastern islands have equal chances of above, near, or below average temperatures

For the country as a whole, from December through February NOAA forecasters project a 4.0 percent warmer winter than the 30 year normal, which is very similar to last winter's temperatures.

But earmuffs and snow tires will still be needed in many parts of the country.

Edward O'Lenic, chief, forecast operations, NOAA Climate Prediction Center, said, "Although we are expecting a warmer than normal winter, we do believe there will be fluctuations of warm weather and typical winter weather throughout the season."

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