New York, Dec 28
Wildfires may be in the news again this winter across the southern tier of the United States as drought persists and expands across the region.
"Fire is probably the biggest danger going into winter," said climatologist and drought expert Brian Fuchs.
Long-promised La Niña conditions are still expected to develop, perhaps as early as January, which typically lead to a more northerly storm track during the winter months, leaving the southern tier of the country warmer and drier, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said. As a result, forecasters expect drought conditions to persist and worsen across the southern United States, news agency reported.
"The places to watch will definitely be the Southwest, Southeast and how much of the southern Plains ends up reverting back into drought over the next several months," said Fuchs of the National Drought Mitigation Centre.
Overall, 38.9 per cent of the contiguous United States is in drought, which is down about 13 per cent since early November, according to the most recent US Drought Monitor.