On the chance you missed it, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released
seasonal outlooks
yesterday, predicting that, for the nation as a
whole, this winter will be warmer than the
30-year norm but cooler
than last winter. Wetter-than-average conditions are expected across
most of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, Hawaii, and
northwestern Alaska.
Since NOAA staff are users in addition to
being providers for the nation, you might find this
information
helpful. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center first presented the winter forecast
on
October 12 at the 2005-2006 Winter Fuels Outlook Conference in
Washington, DC. Hosted by
the National Association of State Energy
Officials, this annual conference examines world oil
supplies and
provides price outlooks for the winter heating season, underscoring the key
role
NOAA plays in the energy industry’s operational planning.
Yesterday's seasonal outlook also
included a U.S. Seasonal Drought
Outlook through January.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2525.htm
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.html
Recognizing the demand for more precise seasonal outlooks, the Climate
Prediction Center has
formed a “Climate Test Bed,” a collaborative
scientific effort among the operational, academic
and research
communities. The aim is to accelerate the transfer of atmospheric and
oceanic
research and development into operational climate
forecasts, products and applications.
Currently the Climate Test
Bed is focused on maximizing the use of the NOAA Climate Forecast
System model in combination with other climate forecast tools for the
purpose of improving
U.S. seasonal precipitation and temperature
outlooks.
http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/ctb/