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Posted by: CJIS

Mild winter expected for much of nation
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP SCIENCE WRITER

WASHINGTON -- A weak El Nino under way in the Pacific Ocean should contribute to a mild winter for much of the United States, the National Weather Service reported Tuesday.

"The strengthening El Nino event will influence the position and strength of the jet stream over the Pacific Ocean, which in turn will affect winter precipitation and temperature patterns across the country," Michael Halpert, lead forecaster at the
NOAA Climate Prediction Center, said in a statement.

"This event is likely to result in fewer cold air outbreaks in the country than would be expected to occur in a typical non-El Nino winter," Halpert said.

The Department of Energy said winter heating bills are expected to be slightly lower for most families across the nation, with the highest reductions for those who use natural gas.

Families using natural gas should expect to pay an average of $119 less during the upcoming winter compared to last year, a decrease of 13 percent, the department said. Those heating their homes with fuel oil will pay $91 more, an increase of 6 percent and propane users can expect to pay $15 less this winter, a drop of 1 percent.

El Nino, a warming of the tropical Pacific sea surface, accompanied by changes in winds and air pressure, began in September and is expected to last into next year.


The result, forecasters said, should be a winter marked by above-normal temperatures, though perhaps not as mild as last year's very warm winter.

Drought is expected to ease in most areas of the Southwest, though some drought is anticipated in parts of the Pacific Northwest.

While the El Nino could strengthen during the next few months, it is not expected to reach the magnitude of the very strong 1997-1998 El Nino.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast for
December through February, the 48 contiguous states can expect about two percent fewer heating degree days than average, but about five to 10 percent more heating degree days than last year's very warm winter.

The winter of 2005-2006 was the fifth warmest on record for the United States with an average temperature of 36.29 degrees Fahrenheit - 1.2 degrees above normal - for the 48 contiguous states. The warmest winter on record was 1999-2000 at 36.95 degrees.

Heating degree days are used as a measure of how much heating fuel is needed. A degree day is measured for each degree Fahrenheit the average temperature of a place falls below 65. For example, if a town averages 63 one day, there were 2 heating degree days that day, if the average is 60 there are 5 degree days.

Expected to have warmer-than-normal winter temperatures are the West, Southwest, Plains states, Midwest, most of the Northeast and northern mid-Atlantic, as well as most of Alaska.

Readings are forecast to be close to normal for parts of the Southeast, while below-average temperatures are anticipated for Hawaii.
The outlook is for equal chances of warmer or cooler than normal for Maine, the southern mid-Atlantic, Tennessee Valley and much of Texas.

For rain and snowfall, the outlook is for wetter-than-average conditions across the Southwest from Southern California to Texas, and for Florida and the south Atlantic Coast.

Drier than normal is anticipated in the Tennessee Valley, northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. "Other regions have equal chances of drier, wetter or near-normal precipitation," the agency said.

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Posted by: jasonbr

I heard the opposite. I heard that the jet stream has been pushing more cold air down from the north and sending most storms and tornadoes south. Which is why we haven't had any tornadoes and hurricanes this year.

Plus its been damn cold this fall.

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Posted by: Opie

Great Now We're Probably Gonna Get a Foot Next Week!!

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Posted by: USMCMP5811

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie Great Now We're Probably Gonna Get a Foot Next Week!!

Great, bring it on, my plows are ready.

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Posted by: jasonbr

Mine too! lol... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCMP5811 Great, bring it on, my plows are ready.

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Posted by: tikrit22

bring it on! the ski doos are waiting!!

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Posted by: tazoez

NOOO!!!! PLEASE... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NOOO SNOW!!!!!!
lol, can ya tell that it's too early for me for snow?

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Posted by: CJIS

I love the snow.

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Posted by: USMCMP5811

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonbr Mine too! lol... Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Yup, White Gold, New England Tea.

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Posted by: jasonbr

pennies from heaven

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Posted by: Andy0921

I hate snow and everything about it.

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Posted by: benike84

Let it snow for all us plow drivers--Snowstorms are like details in the winter.

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Posted by: USMCMP5811

Quote:

Originally Posted by benike84 Let it snow for all us plow drivers--Snowstorms are like details in the winter.

That they are my friend, that they are.

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Posted by: Andy0921

Accident reports, shoveling sidewalk and plowing driveway and looks terrible the day after when it's black from all the sand and shit.

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Posted by: dcs2244

Pray for snow! It's softer than dirt and trees when the lemmings hit it: less work for me and a chance to catch-up! </IMG>

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Posted by: USMCMP5811

I don't worry about that, I drop my plow and drive......next day I send out the bills to pad my account. The only thing I worry about is if one of my drivers is going to screw something up on one of my trucks that will put a dent in the profit zone besides the truck.

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