"For 2008–2009, the Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting a “numbing” winter, with below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country. Only the Far West and Southeast will see near-normal temperatures. Few, if any, locations will enjoy many above-normal temperature days this upcoming season.

Snow?
Precipitation-wise, most of the South, as well as the Midwest, should experience above-normal conditions, while the rest of the nation will average close to normal. With below-normal winter temperatures and an above-normal precipitation forecast, the Great Lakes and Midwest will see above-normal snowfalls, especially during January and February.

Above-normal precipitation is forecast for the Southwest during December 2008 and for the Southeast in January and February 2009. It should also turn out to be an unusually wet and/or snowy February across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

In contrast, for the Pacific Northwest, where wet weather is usually the rule during the winter, February could actually turn out to be a bit drier than normal."

The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold winter that will start earlier than the past few, although they plan on less precipitation. Here is some information from their website:

"After a mostly mild November, snow at Thanksgiving will signal the coming of a very cold period, especially in the west {part of our region}. Temperatures will seesaw from January through March. Precipitation will generally be below normal, with above-normal snowfall in the southwest and below-normal snowfall in most other parts of the region. The coldest periods will occur in December, early and mid-January, and in early and mid-February. The snowiest periods will be in early and mid-December, early to mid-January, early February, and early March. "

The National Weather Service's seasonal outlook does not appear to "jive" with these two outlooks. Although it is early, they are calling for slightly warmer temperatures for us, with average precipitation. Just so you know, the National Weather Service forecast for this winter will be updated around September 18th.

I personally believe it is too early to put out a forecast for the winter. There are still a few things that need to be determined before you can lean one way or the other, like the lingering effects of a La Nina, or if everything in the Pacific will remain neutral, and that will only be able to be told by time. That is why the Storm Team will wait a bit before we give our winter prediction.

Ray Petelin,
WSEE Storm Team Meteorologist