Immediately after returning from Thanksgiving break, Stuart Hall students received an early Christmas gift: a delay as a result of predicted wintery precipitation. While this forecast largely amounted to a whole lot of nothing, it was soon succeeded by two separate snow storms. While three snow days and a delay may seem like nothing short of a Christmas miracle, it seems to be a small precursor for the coming winter.
One major weather event affecting this winter is La Niña. La Niña is an event in which surface ocean temperatures are cooler than average. Stronger trade winds and corresponding ocean currents usher cool water to the surface, bringing cool and wet jet streams over the Northern United States. Traditionally, this causes a milder winter in the Southern United States, but makes conditions harsher farther North.
Additionally, heavier snowfall is expected up north while below average precipitation is forecasted for the south. However, due to Virginia’s placement, specifically the Staunton area, it is between these two regions. According to The National Weather Service, Virginia has an equal chance of a below or above average snowfall year. For a more specialized winter forecast, the Old Farmer’s Almanac has predictions for the Appalachian region of the United States.
Following their predictions, it is expected that this region will experience a colder than average winter. This is already being seen, even a week into December, as temperatures this week have dipped as low as 10 degrees below average. As far as snowfall goes, the Almanac reports a mixed bag as far as Appalachian weather goes. Opposite from general La Niña patterns, it is expected that the southern portion of Appalachia gets above average snowfall, while the northern area experiences a drier season. All in all, be prepared for a cold winter this year, with a chance of heavy snowfall. While it is entirely possible that this past week’s weather was just a fluke, a White Christmas might be more than just a dream this year.
Amory Harris