FORT WORTH, Texas — Weather experts say this year's epic Texas drought is expected to last another year.

A second consecutive dry winter is on the way because of intensifying conditions in the La Nina (lah-NEEN'-yah) climate phenomenon.

And they say Texas and some surrounding states are prone to long-term drought in the next 10 years based on weather patterns.

But that doesn't mean it will happen.

State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon says there's only a 25 percent chance Texas' drought will persist another five years.

This year's drought already has cost the Texas agriculture and cattle industries more than $5 billion.

Nielsen-Gammon spoke Monday at a climate workshop in Fort Worth. Also speaking about the drought and other weather issues were National Weather Service forecasters and climatologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration