SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
We're only a few weeks into fall, but meteorologists are already looking ahead to winter.
On the top of many minds, the drought we're in and how long it will last.
Drought has been plaguing the plains for months.
And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, that could continue through winter.
"The large majority of that drought we expect to persist. Really kind of a negative thing is that we even see drought expanding westward along the northern Tier, so into Montana and Idaho, and parts of Oregon and Washington," said Mike Halpert, Deputy Director of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
The winter forecast issued on Thursday calls for below normal precipitation in Siouxland, along with the Pacific Northwest and above normal precip along the Gulf.
In terms of temperatures, the western half of the United States is expected to see above normal warmth, with the only place seeing below normal temperatures, the Sunshine State.
"It appears likely that 2012 will be the warmest of the 118 year record for the Contiguous United States," said Deke Arndt, Chief of Climate Monitoring, NOAA's National Climatic Data Center.
The cause for continued warmth, a weak El Nino. But that pattern's not certain.
"Typically by mid-October we have a clear picture of the emerging climate factors that will influence the winter season, including whether El Nino or La Nina will occur. That has not been the case this year, however," said Halpert.
But despite the uncertainty, with drought forecasts calling for more of the same at least through January, it's tough not to take seriously, the possibility of more dry weather.
Recent storms have eased drought conditions in several key Midwest farming states where the corn harvest is wrapping up.
The U.S. Drought Monitor's weekly update released today shows that about 64% of Iowa is still in extreme or exceptional drought.
That's down about 12% from the week before.
The winter forecast issued on Thursday calls for below normal precipitation in Siouxland, along with the Pacific Northwest and above normal precip along the Gulf.
