[May 21, 2015]

WeatherBug Issues U.S. Summer Weather Outlook

What does this summer hold for the nation's weather? To prepare for the months ahead, the WeatherBug (News - Alert) Meteorology Team at Earth Networks issues its annual U.S. Summer Forecast.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150521005881/en/

Here's what to expect this summer:

• No End in Sight for California Drought: Normal rainfall is expected in California, but this precipitation will not significantly ease the prolonged and extreme drought that's in its fourth year. To make matters worse, the drought will continue to spread northward into Oregon and Washington, where it will affect hydroelectric power generation in the Columbia River Basin.
• Turning up the Heat: Along with the worsening drought, California and the Pacific Northwest will contend with above-normal temperatures - factors that increase the potential for wildfires. California, Oregon and Washington will grapple with an earlier start to wildfire season and could see above-normal fire activity. In other parts of the country, the forecast favors above-normal temperatures in Nevada, and much of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Above-normal temperatures are also favored for areas along the Gulf of Mexico and across Florida.
• Above-Average Rain More Likely: In contrast to the West Coast drought, above-average rainfall is expected in the western mountain states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, portions of Arizona, and most of New Mexico. Above-average rainfall is also more likely for southern portions of Alabama and Georgia, and the Florida panhandle.
• Cooler Temperatures Possible: Lower-than-normal summer temperatures are exected from the Upper Mississippi Valley, across the states bordering the Great Lakes, and much of New England, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. The cooler temperatures will place less stress on the power grid in the Great Lakes and New England this summer.
• Normal Temperatures Expected: Cities on the East Coast, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, are expected to receive normal summer temperatures. In the Southeast, Nashville, Richmond, Raleigh and Atlanta are expected to experience normal temperatures. Seasonal temperatures are favored throughout much of the northern Rockies through the Midwest states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and southern portion of the Ohio Valley.

To develop the summer forecast, WeatherBug meteorologists analyzed a range of factors, including a variety of climate models, sea- surface temperatures, and other information. This year, the ENSO (El Niño) pattern and water temperatures in the north Pacific Ocean are the major factors affecting this summer's temperature and precipitation outlook.

About Earth Networks: Powering WeatherBug & WeatherBug Home

For 20 years, we have been Taking the Pulse (News - Alert) of the Planet® using the world's largest weather, lightning and greenhouse gas monitoring networks. Our sensors across the planet keep consumers, businesses, and governments informed, updated and alerted. Our popular WeatherBug® brand provides neighborhood-level weather, superior forecasts and advanced severe weather alerts to millions. Our WeatherBug Home offering taps big weather and connected home data for improved energy efficiency and comfort. Enterprises such as schools, airports, professional sports teams, utilities and government agencies rely on our early warning solutions to safeguard lives, prepare for weather events, and optimize operations. Know Before®.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150521005881/en/

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