2017 Asia spring forecast: Winter to linger from Russia to Turkey; Drought may build in southern India.
Spring will get off to a slow start over much of northern Asia and in part of the Middle East, while more typical conditions are in store for most areas farther to the south and east.
Meanwhile, drought conditions may worsen in southern India, while the potential exists for abnormally dry conditions in part of Southeast Asia.
Additional storms will bring locally heavy rain and mountain snow from Turkey and the northern Caucasus region of Georgia and southern Russia to the Hindu Kush during March and the first part of April.
Much of the southern and western part of the Arabian Peninsula will be dry as is typically the case during the spring.
Drought conditions may continue to build over southern India Spring is typically dry and hot over much of India ahead of the summer monsoon.
"Last year, the western Pacific typhoon season got off to a very slow start," Douty said.
Ample rainfall may diminish in part of Southeast Asia Much of central and southwestern China, Japan and South Korea can expect above-average warmth and typical rainfall this spring.
A portion of the Yangtze River Basin in China will be wetter than average during March and perhaps into April.
If the rainfall from this summer’s monsoon are lean, there is a chance part of Southeastern Asia may meander back toward drought conditions later in the year.