More than 60 percent of Oklahoma remains in drought

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Winter has arrived in Oklahoma, but officials say it isn’t likely to bring much relief from the ongoing drought.

Sunday marked the first day of winter. But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seasonal drought outlook says drought conditions in western Oklahoma are expected to persist or intensify between now and March 31.

The Oklahoman reports that the outlook predicted drought improvement only in a small area along the Red River in southeastern Oklahoma.

The U.S. Drought Monitor says more than 60 percent of Oklahoma remains in drought. And Oklahoma state climatologist Gary McManus says it’s also possible that predictions of increased precipitation won’t materialize.

Those predictions are based on the possibility of an El Nino weather pattern developing this winter, something forecasters say is not certain.