Winter Weather Outlook

(NBCNC) - Federal meteorologists are putting a big question mark over what to expect this winter in the Northeast, but for much of the country they're predicting a drier and and warmer winter that could intensify the drought.

Meteorologists at the Federal Climate Prediction Center had been counting on El Nino to develop and bring with it more precipitation this winter.

That didn't happen.

Deputy Director Mike Halpert says parts of the Southeast, specifically Florida, will likely be cooler and wetter.

Westward, the drought that's been plaguing farmers could intensify and even spread to the Northwest.

More than 800 meteorologists studying forecast models make the predictions possible.