Drought, fire risk to stay high during third La Niña winter

(AP) — Federal weather officials say drought and wildfire risks will remain elevated in the western states while warmer than average temperatures will greet the Southwest, Gulf Coast, and East Coast this winter.

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday that La Niña, a weather pattern characterized by cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is returning for a rare third winter. That means December, January, and February are likely to bring drier than average conditions across the southern states and wetter than average weather for areas including the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest.

Officials say wildfires will remain a risk.