Wet Winter Outlook for Southern U.S.

Southern regions hampered by drought over the past three years may be getting some relief if recent winter precipitation forecasts turn out to be correct. According to projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, ?EUR??,,????'??weak-to-moderate?EUR??,,????'?? El Nino conditions in the central Pacific Ocean are likely to shift storm tracks south-producing higher-than-average rainfall in Southern California, Texas and Florida.

The NOAA prediction, which is focused on December, January and February of 2005, plots corresponding drier-than-normal conditions for the Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions. Central and Eastern states should experience close-to-normal precipitation.

?EUR??,,????'??Our winter forecast factors in the effects of a weak El Nino that may strengthen into a moderate event during the winter months,?EUR??,,????'?? said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., of NOAA. ?EUR??,,????'??But We'll keep our eye on other climate features in the Pacific and the North Atlantic that play an important role on the week-to-week variability in our winter weather. These patterns influence the position of the jet stream and dictate where and how winter storms will move.?EUR??,,????'??

NOAA is scheduled to issue an updated winter outlook on Oct. 21. More information can be found at www.noaanews.noaa.gov.