2009/2010 winter outlook

Many have asked us when we will have our winter forecast out for this upcoming winter..So here we go with what The Weather Center is forecasting....Remember no one single factor is making this forecast,there are many factors,along with what we have seen with the wildlife...So lets get right to it....

As many of you know our forecast area has been well below normal in temps this summer(yes one can call it a year without a summer)...Also we have been well below normal in the precip dept....We can thank the volcanoes that have thrown tons of ash into the atmosphere,along with the onset of EL Nino...After looking back into out data sheets and snowfall and temp reports we found out when we have a cool summer we normally have below normal temps...The data also shows us our FA has had above normal snowfall following a cool summer...Last year was a prime example of it.....However now we need to look at the most recent trends....We are seeing a trend towards warmer weather that has started in Sept...We are still locked under dry conditions....Now if we look back into the trends of the last few winters,we find that our winters have been snowier and colder than normal....What is interesting the CPC is forecasting a warmer winter for our forecast area and near normal snowfall....If one reads the Farmer's Almanac they are forecast below normal temps and less snow....If one looks at the wildlife you will see signs pointing to a long hard winter.....Between Paul and myself there has been some heated discussion as to what we think will transpire this winter...After going back and forth on this we have reached a decision....

Here is The Weather Center's winter forecast...

We are calling for near normal temps through much of this upcoming winter...Not saying we won't have warm spells or cold snaps,just the ave winter temps shall avg on either side of normal....
Snowfall outlook...We are going to run with slightly above normal snowfall this upcoming winter...Most of this will come towards winter's end....Once again we are not saying we won't have any big snowstorms nor are we saying we won't have periods of dry spells..We are however saying when you avg the entire winter we shall be slightly above normal in snowfall......We do reserve the right to change this forecast during the month of October....After October forecast will stand!....

Side note...

No one really knows what will take place this winter until we get into winter...Our forecast is based on a number of factors...As we all know the weather can change in a blink of an eye...

Forecasters....Dirk/Paul.....