Spencer, IA: (Jan. 19, 2012) - The National Weather Service on Thursday said warm winter weather in the United States should continue into February.

 

In its 30-day outlook, the agency said most of the East Coast and Mississippi Valley, the central and southern Great Plains, and the southern portion of the Great Lakes region should see higher-than-normal temperatures during the month.

 

The weather service says the southern United States should be drier-than-normal, while the central Mississippi and Ohio River Valley regions could see higher precipitation.

 

The warmer weather has likely been caused by La Nina, according to the weather service.