Sep. 24--Don't put those shorts and T-shirts away just yet.

It may be a little colder outside, but things are supposed to get back to normal this weekend.

The recent cold front that's put a slight chill on West Texans is due to an upper level low in the northern plains, said Ryan Barnes, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Midland.

"We haven't recovered from the cold front yet," Barnes said. "We're getting disturbances that move around the base of the low."

"The source is originally from Canada."

West Texas is currently in an El Nino season for 2009-2010, which means the weather charts could reflect a stock market graph.

"Temperatures will run slightly below normal," CBS 7 meteorologist Mike Moritz said. "We'll have more cloud cover than normal."

Within the next three months, the weather could be even a little more odd for the region. The Climate Prediction Center estimates 33 to 40 percent above normal temperatures. Above normal precipitation will also be in the same percentage range all the way until the end of the year.

There's also no need to worry about plant life during this inconsistent season of weather as long as temperatures don't dip below freezing, UTPB biology professor Donald Allen said. Although there will be more plant growth with more rain, the real difference will be felt by area wildlife.

Allen said wild animals like coyotes will be out more since there's no need to stay cool in the blistering heat.

-----

To see more of the Odessa American, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.oaoa.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, Odessa American, Texas

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.