HOUSTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Texas climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon says it's likely at least parts of the state will have severe drought again next summer, and maybe beyond that.
Nielsen-Gammon said water supply problems could be even worse than they are now, the Houston Chronicle reported Monday.
The Texas A&M University climatologist correctly predicted the onset of a significant drought last October because of an atmospheric phenomenon known as La Nina that produced unusually cold ocean temperatures.
During a La Nina winter, Texas generally experiences mild temperatures and drier-than-normal weather.
Nielsen-Gammon said chance favors at least parts of Texas continuing to experience a drought that will stretch on for two or more years.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said 796 communities across the state are now limiting water use, including 506 which have issued mandatory restrictions.
As of August, the state's reservoirs were at 68 percent capacity.
