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Warmer-than-average spring on the way

In light of the drier than average past few months across Central Texas, it is unlikely that we will get a break.

As winter begins to wind down, Central Texas has already started to experience a rather consistent stretch of sunny skies this March.

Spring officially starts March 20, and the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a warmer-than-average season for many in the contiguous U.S. The center is also predicting flooding possibilities for many locations along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois river basins.

Better chances for warmer-than-average temperatures exist in the Southwest, southern Plains states and along the Gulf Coast. This period of warmer weather is expected to persist from April through June with a little less of a probability in the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes and the Tennessee Valley. This will certainly be a welcome feel in light of the Northeastern and New England nor’easters as well as freezing temperatures in the Midwest this past winter season.

Unfortunately for the Northern Rockies, the Climate Prediction Center said deep snowpacks will continue to play a role in below average temperatures over the next three months. This is the only region that will experience these cooler temperatures.

It should also be noted that in light of the drier than average past few months across Central Texas, it is unlikely that a break will be in sight. La Nina continues to maintain influence over precipitation across the southwestern U.S. and this will serve for little hope of relief for states like Texas that has been longing for moisture. Currently, parts of southern California, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico are experiencing severe to extreme drought.

“Flash Flood Alley” is a common name to describe Central Texas and the Austin metro area, but for those in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valley, flooding season has already occurred. The threat for the spring season is likely to continue for the lower Mississippi River valley, Illinois River and Ohio River. Additionally with the past three nor’easters in the northeastern U.S., this could also bring an early start to the flooding season.

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