NOAA Reports U.S. Winter Forecast Still On Track; Drought Concerns Persist

Thursday, October 18th 2007, 9:50 pm

By: News On 6

In the first scheduled update to the 2007-08 U.S. winter outlook, NOAA seasonal forecasters say the latest data and model runs confirm their earlier prediction for above-average temperatures over most of the country and a continuation of drier-than-average conditions across much of the Southwest and Southeast.

â€œThe prediction for a warmer than normal winter is still on course,â€ said Michael Halpert, head of forecast operations and acting deputy director of NOAAâ€™s Climate Prediction Center. â€œOur big concern continues to be the persistence of drought across large parts of the countryâ€™s southern tier. Nearly half of the Southeast is in extreme drought and water supplies have reached critical levels in some cities."

Despite some recent short-term relief over the Southeast and Tennessee Valley, and the potential for additional short-term relief during the next 10 days, NOAA meteorologists predict that the drought will continue through the winter for many areas in the Southeast. Although forecasters cannot rule out much-needed rain in any location in coming months, the latest U.S. drought outlook shows reduced chances for significant relief along the Gulf and Southeast coasts, as the odds for soaking tropical rains diminish as the Atlantic hurricane season winds down.

â€œDrought is by no means limited to the Southeast, as severe drought expanded northward all the way to Delaware this month. The Washington D.C. area is experiencing one of the most notable dry spells on record, with October 17 the 33rd consecutive day without measurable rain at Reagan National Airport,â€ said Douglas LeComte, drought specialist at NOAAâ€™s Climate Prediction Center.

Additionally, the onset of La NiÃ±a means that drought will likely persist in the Mid Atlantic and the Southwest from Southern California into Arizona. In contrast, the drought forecast shows continued improvement for the Northeast and Great Lakes region, as well as the Northwest and northern Rockies.

â€œEven though December, January and February are likely to be milder than average for much of the country, people should still expect some typical winter weather this season,â€ said Halpert.

For the country as a whole, NOAA's updated heating degree day forecast for December through February projects a 3.4 percent warmer winter than the 30-year normal, but a 0.7 percent cooler winter than last year.

The 2007-08 U.S. winter outlook will be updated for the final time this season on Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.

The U.S. winter outlook is produced by a team of scientists at NOAAâ€™s Climate Prediction Center in association with NOAA-funded partners. Scientists base this forecast on long-term climate trends and a variety of forecast tools from statistical techniques to extremely complex dynamical ocean-atmosphere coupled models and composites.