What's Typical?

 The above graphic is a simplified plot of what are considered "typical" conditions associated with La Nina during December-February.

Above (from Lance Bosart via the MAP chat board) shows November 2011 - January 2012 temperatures for the continental US. Below is same map but for precipitation. It appears that there is not much similarity with the "typical" La Nina situation (although there is a month offset between these two figures and one at top). When data for the December - February quarter are in there will probably not be dramatic changes. Perhaps most amazing are the remarkable warmth so far this winter across the northeastern third of the country and the extreme dryness over the northwest third of the country.