Winter Outlook Part 6 - Forecast

Summary

San Diego
Last winter was cooler and wetter than average. This December-February should have below average temperatures and slightly above average precipitation. The southern stream will be weak, so we might not see any major rain events (exceeding 2"). Instead, I expect occasional moderate events through the winter. This could eat away at snow totals in the mountains, but colder air in the upper atmosphere could compensate a little.

Richmond
Last winter was cooler than average (cool Dec-Jan, warm in Feb) and drier than average (Dec was wet, Jan-Feb dry). Snow last year was *just* below average with a total of 10.7". I expect December-February temperatures to stay slightly above average and precipitation to hover near or slightly below average. There should be two to three cold blasts, though I don't think there will be any prolonged cold weather (over two weeks). After watching the storm track over the past couple months, I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a couple threats for a significant snow storm. Regardless, snow totals should stay near or below average at roughly 6 to 12".

(TEMPERATURE FORECAST FOR DECEMBER-FEBRUARY)

(PRECIPITATION FORECAST FOR DECEMBER-FEBRUARY)

Technical

The Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) have been generally neutral or positive for the past couple months. Although there will be an occasional break in this pattern, I think both will hover around neutral for the next three months. Consequently, cold air will not travel as far south as we've seen over the past couple years in the eastern half of the United States.

Last year's moderate La Nina was weakened by a slightly positive PDO. I think this can partly explain why La Nina's effect on last winter was completely overshadowed by a strongly negative AO. Conversely, PDO should remain negative this winter, which could enhance the effect of La Nina...especially considering that AO is almost nonexistent so far this autumn.

For these reasons, my winter forecast represents a combination of La Nina and persistence.

Over the past month, we have seen a persistent weather pattern. Upper-level lows will dive almost straight south out of the Gulf of Alaska and settle into southern California. We have yet to see a massive coastal low or a strong southern stream develop. This is why NorCal has stayed drier than average, while SoCal has been wetter than average.

(PRECIPITATION DEPARTURE FROM AVERAGE - PAST 30 DAYS)

The upper low over SoCal will then phase with the northern stream and dump rain from Arkansas up to the Great Lakes, which you can see on the map above. This type of pattern could bring some major snow if there was cold air, but as you can see on the map below, temps have been very warm.

(TEMPERATURE DEPARTURE FROM AVERAGE - PAST 30 DAYS)

I expect the pattern to briefly shift and then return later this winter. During that time, we could see the worst snow storms of the season across the Midwest and possibly farther east...depending on the storm track and availability of cold air.

Over the next two weeks, cold weather will overspread the central U.S. and then spread farther east. The middle of the month will be interesting because the jet stream will become more zonal. This will give a brief break from the cold, but we could see an abrupt change in the overall pattern by the end of the month.

(DEC 7 - JET STREAM RIDGES EAST AND WEST PUSHING COLD AIR SOUTHWARD)

(DEC 15 - ZONAL FLOW WITH NO MAJOR FEATURES)

(DEC 9 - COLDER THAN AVERAGE FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRY)

(DEC 15 - COLD AIR RETREATS...WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?)