So what is the skinny on winter weather predictions? I checked at the Almanac, for the Ohio Valley, and here’s the outlook:
November 2008
Avg. Temperature: 48° (3° above avg.)
Precipitation: 2″ (1.5″ below avg.)
Nov. 1-6: Sunny, seasonable
Nov. 7-10: Rain and snow, then sunny, chilly
Nov. 11-17: Showers, warm
Nov. 18-22: Sunny, mild
Nov. 23-30: Rain to snow, then snow showers, cold
So far…not really on the mark, but close. The second weeks weather stuck around and I’d be a bit surprised if it got warm this week, but well, it would be nice. I have just a few outdoor chores to finish up and would prefer not to do it in the cold.
December 2008
Avg. Temperature: 27° (8° below avg.)
Precipitation: 2″ (1″ below avg.)
Dec. 1: Sunny, mild
Dec. 2-6: Snow, then show showers, chilly
Dec. 7-16: Snow showers, very cold
Dec. 17-20: Snow, then sunny, seasonable
Dec. 21-24: Snow showers, very cold
Dec. 25-31: Snow, then sunny, mild
Well if this holds true my Christmas visitors could expect something of a white Christmas with decent travel weather afterwards. Getting here might be tricky if the snow comes on travel dates.
The Overall Forecast:
“November will have above-normal temperatures, on average, followed by an exceptionally cold December. After a welcome mid-January thaw, temperatures will be colder than normal in February and March. The coldest periods will be in mid-December, early January, and early February. Precipitation will be near normal in the east and above normal in the west, with above-normal snowfall nearly everywhere. Expect snowfall in time for Thanksgiving, frequent snow in December, and additional snowfalls from January to mid-February.”
I am not sure I like that exceptionally chilly December- hope we don’t get it… as that means outrageous utility bills to deal with.
The official first day of winter isn’t until December 21. When it is so cold and the ground gets covered in snow it doesn’t seem that it is still autumn. Autumn seems to be the brief time we have the crisp yet pleasant weather when all the leaves are turning and the rural gardens have their leaf piles burning. Once snow arrives the mind says “winter”, no matter the dates on the calender.
