Forecasting the rest of the 2005-2006 winter season and updating its spring/summer 2006 outlook, MDA EarthSat Energy Weather said Friday it expects February to revert to colder temperatures for much of the country, while the summer will bring mixed conditions.

Following a significantly warmer than normal January, MDA EarthSat Weather said the start of the second cold pattern this winter is now hitting the U.S. “With the expected colder February starting off very slowly, the January super-warm period should dominate the overall winter (Dec. through Feb.),” said Matt Rogers, deputy director and meteorologist with MDA EarthSat Weather. He added there is a very high likelihood February will average below normal and somewhat similar to December’s outcome in the Eastern U.S.

The forecasting firm’s outlook for summer 2006 continues to favor seasonal to cooler than normal conditions for the eastern half of the U.S. and warmer than normal conditions across the West.

“The summer trends are cooler right now — but we’ll need to keep an eye on La Nina,” Rogers said. He added that moderate to strong La Nina periods typically yield warmer readings for key energy consuming areas, noting that conditions have been flirting with weak to moderate La Nina the last few weeks. The amount of spring precipitation over current drought across (mid-continent into Texas) will need to be watched as well, he warned.

MDA EarthSat Energy Weather produces daily forecasts for the majority of traders, analysts and meteorologists involved with the energy markets.

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