WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) – Ocean temperatures may enter
a weak El Nino pattern this winter, which could affect U.S.
weather in coming months, government forecasters said on
Thursday.
The El Nino weather pattern, which is usually associated
with changes in rainfall, may lead to a wetter winter in the
central and eastern Gulf coast, the National Weather Service
said in its annual winter outlook.
Parts of the Mississippi Valley and eastern plains may
experience less precipitation than normal this winter, the
agency said.
But, the agency also stressed that models show a great deal
of uncertainty about the U.S. precipitation during the upcoming
season.
The western half of the country is expected to have above
normal temperatures through January, the outlook said.
The agency is scheduled to provide additional analysis of
its outlook at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday.
