On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil - the world's most famous weather forecasting groundhog - made his prediction for the upcoming spring. Would we see an early spring or would we be subjected to six more weeks of winter?

Well, Phil saw his shadow, despite the cloudy skies, and forecasted that winter will continue. Since 1886, the groundhog has only predicted an early spring 16 times. Most Florida residents experienced above normal temperatures during January, so the prediction of more winter was a bit of a surprise, especially since La Niña is in control of our weather patterns and we are forecasted to have above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation through May.

If you are interested in predictions of temperature and precipitation over the next two weeks or even out to three months, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has a variety of forecast maps.

State Climatologist David Zierden was the opening speaker for the general assembly of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences on January. The conferences were held in Orlando, FL, sponsored by the National Cotton Council, and attended by thousands of growers, researchers, and cotton production and marketing industries. The state climatologist presented information on the El Niño/La Niña cycle, what the current La Niña means to the climate and weather patterns in the cotton belt, and the outlook for this year's planting and growing seasons. Other experts presented on yields from last year's crops, insect and weed control, and current and future cotton markets.

State Climatologist David Zierden was a featured speaker at the 2012 Soybean/Small Grain Expo, hosted by the Georgia/Florida Soybean Association on January 26 in Perry, GA. Mr. Zierden provided background information on the El Niño/La Niña cycle and further explained how the changes in the Pacific Ocean impact the temperature and rainfall patterns in the Southeast U.S. and how this can affect different crops and their yields. He showed how the current La Niña is favorable for irrigated corn but has mixed implications for soybeans and other small grains. He also illustrated how these climate patterns can be taken advantage of by changing planting dates and other management options.

Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin attended the 4-H Youth Development Institute in Ocala, FL, on January 10-11. During a 4-hour session on weather and climate, Ms. Griffin worked with Ms. Heather Kent, the Northwest Regional Specialist 4-H Agent, to gather feedback and highlight activities that will be created for a proposed weather and climate toolkit. The toolkit is geared for 4-H under the USDA/NIFA Climate Education through Extension grant, which is a joint effort of 5 different universities in the Southeast.

Assistant State Climatologist Melissa Griffin attended the 13th Annual Farmer Appreciation Breakfast in Donalsonville, GA, on January 26. While there, she interacted with commodity growers from in and around Seminole County, GA, and answered questions about the abnormally warm weather. After breakfast, Ms. Griffin gave a 15-minute presentation on La Niña and its impacts on temperature and precipitation in the Southeast and also highlighted climate risk tools and other features of the AgroClimate.org website.

February 2, 2012:

NIFA Technology and Agricultural Fair in Quincy, FL