NOTE: This forecast was published in October 2011; see our full-length 2012-2013 AccuWeather.com Winter Forecast for the latest information.
"Mild and dry" will unfortunately be the mantra this winter for much of Texas and the Southwest, a region that desperately needs rain.
Texas continues to suffer through the worst drought in its history, with 100 percent of the state experiencing drought conditions and nearly 86 percent in an exceptional drought, the most severe category.
Precipitation is expected to remain below normal in southern and western Texas and the interior Southwest this season. "The interior Southwest will be the driest area of the country through winter," Pastelok said.
Northern and eastern Texas, however, could fair a bit better with higher chances for precipitation as cold fronts "make it there with ease", according to Pastelok. The downside to these higher precipitation chances, however, will be the risk of ice events, especially from late December into January.
Snow and ice events are also possible in areas in and around the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, as is fairly typical during a winter season.
Full AccuWeather.com Winter 2011-2012 Forecast
Full Winter Forecast for the West (map includes Arizona)
Severe thunderstorms with the risk of a few tornadoes will advance eastward across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest into Friday.
A dangerous outbreak of severe storms will strike the northern High Plains and Canadian Prairies on Wednesday.
Join us on Thursday for AccuWeather LIVE as we will discuss the debate of climate change and hurricane frequency and the top five things you need to know about summer weather.
A tornado touched down at Denver International Airport as a severe weather system moved through the area.
A brief synopsis of the top five worst weather events of last summer.
Warmth is forecast to build over much of the eastern half of the nation by July, with Alaska of all places helping out.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Connecticut (1794)
A violent tornado started west of the Hudson River,
then travelled on to Poughkeepsie, Waterbury,
North Haven, Milford, and Branford line into Long
Island Sound. Extensive damage; funnel looked
like an "aurora borealis." At New Milford, 28
buildings were destroyed or damaged. A barn door
was carried 9 miles from its original site.
Atlanta, GA (1991)
3.47" of rain in 1 hour.
Philadelphia, PA (1990)
Hail up to the size of marbles fell with wind
gusts to 50 mph in the northeast part of the
city.
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