Not so Official 12/13 Weather Discussion

Last winter was the fourth warmest for the contiguous 48 since record
 keeping began in 1895, with 24 states experiencing below-normal 
precipitation. In fact, California experienced its second driest winter 
ever. In only 10 states—chiefly across the nation’s midsection— was 
winter precipitation above normal.
The situation became critical this past spring and summer with 
broiling hot temperatures across much of the country and the most severe
 drought conditions the nation has seen in more than 50 years.
For the coming season, we’re predicting that winter will return to 
some – but not all – areas. We think it will be a “winter of contraries,
 as if Old Man Winter were cutting the country in half. The eastern half
 of the country will see plenty of cold and snow. The western half will 
experience relatively warm and dry condition. In other words, as in the 
political arena, the climate this winter will render us a nation 
divided.
We predict that real winter weather will return to areas from the 
Great Lakes into the Northeast. Most eastern states – as far south as 
the Gulf Coast – will see snowier than normal conditions and cooler 
temperatures.
We are “red flagging” February 12–15 and March 20–23 for major 
coastal storms along the Atlantic seaboard; storms bringing strong winds
 and heavy precipitation.
But on the other side of the country, winter will continue its hiatus
 for another year. The forecast for west of the Continental Divide – the
 Pacific Northwest, desert Southwest, Pacific Coast – calls for mild 
temperatures and below-normal precipitation.