NOAA has released their winter forecast and I imagine many are saying, "oh no...not again!" The 3 month outlook for December through January suggests above average temperatures for Utah and slightly below average precipitation.
The forecast is based on upper air patterns like the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Arctic Oscillation. We are also seeing more of an El Nino trend in the Pacific which is typically less favorable for a big snow year around here.
Who can forget last winter, we finished with roughly half the snowfall we normally expect. The mild winter came in spite of a weak La Nina pattern, typically more favorable for snow around here. Now I've never been one for long term forecasts but I do believe we will see more snow this winter than last.
Our first decent storm of the season is setting up for next week. I don't think we'll see snow on the valley floor but I do expect the snow level to drop as low as 6,000'-6,500' by the end of next week.
Hang in there skiers, it won't be long now in fact if you're itching to hit the slopes Arapahoe Basin in Colorado is already open! This morning's ski report shows an 18" base there.
Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out my
facebook and
twitter pages!
