UPDATE 2-Drought and flooding seen for the U.S.-NOAA

(Adds USDA, NOAA comments, detail from report)

By Christopher Doering

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - U.S. farmers in the Midwest and Plains risk drought this summer while those in much of the eastern half of the U.S. could face flooding similar to what has battered the nation this week, government forecasters said on Thursday.

There is an "enhanced risk" of drought going into spring and even summer for the Corn Belt, largely because of a fading La Nina, said Doug Lecomte, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

But he added: "The first thing is to worry about getting rid of the wetness" that is "is unprecedented for this time of year."

Lecomte said La Nina already has played a role in the water-logged conditions across the Midwest. While its impact is usually greatest in the winter, it could also bring drought to the Plains, expanding into the western Corn Belt this summer.

Drought conditions in the southeastern United States will improve, but drought is likely to develop or persist in western Texas, eastern New Mexico, western Kansas and Nebraska. Conditions also may persist or intensify in the western Dakotas.

The spring forecast covers the April through June period.

Government forecasters said a moderate La Nina will linger through June before weakening. La Nina is an unusual cooling of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures that can trigger widespread changes in weather around the world.