Southeast Looking Chillier than Previously Expected

Bring out the jackets and hats, because it is looking cooler than previously thought for the interior Southeast in December.

The nights will be exceptionally chilly.

After December, however, temperatures are expected to climb higher in January and February, as an area of high pressure is expected to set up along the Southeast coast and pump milder air from the Gulf of Mexico northward into the region.

In general, Winter 2011-2012 is expected to be milder than last winter in the Southeast.

There will be a low chance for a damaging freeze in the citrus area this year.

"Florida looks drier than normal," Pastelok said.

"The farther north and west you travel, the wetter it gets."

An active storm track around the northern and western periphery of high pressure dominating the Southeast will allow above-normal precipitation to fall in the Lower Mississippi Valley.

AccuWeather.com 2011-2012 Winter Forecast Update