http://www.usatoday.com/weather/forecast/story/2011-10-20/winter-forecast-drought/50843280/1?csp=34newsElsewhere, "the Pacific Northwest through the Great Lakes area is likely to be both colder and wetter than average," according to Michael Halpert, deputy director of the climate center.
La Niņa, which returned in August, will gradually strengthen and should continue through the upcoming winter. Although a bit weaker than last year, "the evolving La Niņa will shape this winter," Halpert says.
As is typical during a La Niņa winter, precipitation is most likely to be below average along the southern tier of the nation all the way from southern California to Florida, Halpert adds.
The center's forecast covers the months of December, January and February, which is known as meteorological winter.
