Creighton University meteorologist Art Douglas says he thinks despite the past weekend’s icy storm, it’s going to be a warmer winter than normal. Douglas says the forecast could mean very good news to energy customers, with milder temps requiring fewer heating dollars. He thinks a mild winter will mean less power use, and that will help the economy, saving money for people heating their homes and factories that use a lot of energy. Douglas says while we may see some improved precip this year, the effects of drought will remain for parts of the country. From eastern Iowa through Illinois into Ohio, he says the “minor el nino” is not going to break the drought they’ve seen. Once this winter ends, Douglas says spring could see the drought return. Art Douglas is a professor of atmospheric sciences at Creighton University.
