Drought Will Continue In Large Areas Of The Nation
A U.S. Department of Agricutlure meteorologist says large areas of the country will continue to experience drought through the Fall.
INTRO: It looks like La Nina is going to continue to influence the nation’s weather through the Fall to the benefit of some areas and the detriment of others. The USDA’s Bob Ellison has more. (1:30)
THE WEATHER IN TEXAS AND SURROUNDING AREAS IS NOT GOING TO IMPROVE THIS FALL ACCORDING TO U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE METEOROLOGIST BRAD RIPPEY.
Brad Rippey, USDA Meteorologist: Drought is expected to persist or even continue to intensify over the southern plains all the way through the autumn months, and really the only thing at this point that would provide some type of relief would be a tropical storm.
THE CAUSE OF THE DRY WEATHER IS A LA NINA SYSTEM IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN THAT IS AFFECTING U-S WEATHER.
Rippey: We’re at least at a fifty fifty chance that we will slide back in to at least a moderately strong La Nina event and that could have even more devastating consequences for Texas, Oklahoma and other drought ravaged areas.
IN THE SOUTHEAST, DROUGHT CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN LESSENING, BUT LA NINA COULD CHANGE THAT.
Rippey: We could see resurgence or intensification or a re-intensification of drought in parts of the southeast if La Nina resurfaces.
AND WHILE LA NINA IS EXACERBATING DROUGHT IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IT COULD RELIEVE IT IN THE MIDWEST.
Rippey: We would like to see a little bit of a resurgence of some of the rains across some of the Midwest and if we do see La Nina returning that could be a boon.
MEANWHILE MOST OF THE WEST SHOULD FARE WELL WEATHER-WISE THIS FALL.
Rippey: We do have some drought issues in Arizona and New Mexico, but aside from that part of the southwest the remainder of the West is heading into the fall and winter season in good shape hydrologically.
IN WASHINGTON D-C FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I’M BOB ELLISON.
