"After a hot spring and a scorching summer, this winter is likely to continue a U.S. warming trend that could make 2012 the hottest year since modern record-keeping began, U.S. weather experts said Thursday."

"Drought that ravaged much of the United States this year may spread in the coming months, said Mike Halpert at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

'The large majority of that drought we expect to persist,' Halpert said. 'We even see drought expanding westward ... into Montana, Idaho and part of Oregon and Washington.'"

Deborah Zabarenko and Ayesha Rascoe report for Reuters October 19, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Drought Areas Shrink, Wheat States See Improvement" (Reuters) [3]

"U.S. Drought To Continue Through Winter, May Spread" (Reuters) [4]