The southern U.S. will experience warmer, drier conditions in the coming months, while in the North it will be cooler and wetter, according to a winter weather forecast recently released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These conditions are expected due to La Nina being well-established and expected to persist through the upcoming winter season. According to the forecast, La Nina will also influence drought, which is currently affecting more than 45 percent of the continental U.S. It notes that La Nina is expected to expand and intensify drought across the southern and central Plains, eastern Gulf Coast, and in California during the months ahead. Drought conditions are expected to improve in the northern Rockies, Northwest, New England, Alaska, and Hawaii over the coming months. The forecast also notes that above-average temperatues are expected for Hawaii and western and northern Alaska. Meanwhile, below-normal temperatures are favored in southern Alaska. Read the forecast at NOAA.