Big Snows in Our Near Future?

The ECMWF and the GFS both have big snows coming soon, around New Years.  The question is whether or not they're correct and if so, what will the track be.  We are going to be showing you images from the GFS model.  The ECMWF shows a stronger storm, but I currently think that the GFS is more plausible at this time with the way it works things out with the way the storm works out after it is gone.  The GFS has a storm quickly developing before moving right on out, and that's what I think is more likely with the way this pattern is going, with now major changes indicated currently.  As always, something drastic could happen, but I am not counting on it as of right now.  That being said, let's look at the GFS model from 12z at hour number 150:

The GFS shows a low pressure area developing before quickly moving out.  Behind it, a trough of cold air develops, but it quickly gets out of the way for yet another ridge set to move in.  At this point, I like this solution due to the pattern that we are currently experiencing, and the little signs of significant change that I see right now.  The ECMWF shows a storm system marching up the coast, putting down a lot of snow across the east.  Time will tell which model comes true, if any.  But for now, stay tuned!

When Will Winter Come?????

THIS POST IS OUT OF DATE!!!!!!  REFER TO this post.
I know that a lot of you out there are snow lovers, and you are getting tired of the "warm" weather.  I also am willing to bet that a lot of people who read this blog are snow haters.  We all know that across the northern regions, snow is inevitable.  Eventually, winter will sweep over, and snow will cover the ground.  At this point, the question is when.  Well, we are already seeing signs that the atmosphere is gearing up for a big cold blast, one that may potentially last through the winter.  First of all, the NAO, or North Atlantic Oscillation, has been positive over the last few months.  This has allowed cold air to build in the Arctic and Western Canada:

However, it is starting to look like a turn to a negative NAO is coming.  This will allow for the cold air that has been building up to spill southward through the United States.  Models are also showing the Greenland Block making a return, which generally leads to cold in the United States.  Let me show you what the models think is coming in the 8-10 day time frame:

I want you first to know that you should not take these maps for given, considering this a long ways out.  The arrival time is likely to be delayed a little bit.  I want you to pay particular attention to the GFS model's interpretation (on the right).  It is a perfect example of the Greenland block.  We see a lot of blocking in Greenland, causing cold air to spill southward into the US.  Again, the question isn't if, but when.  The NAO may hold a clue to that.  The GFS ensembles are showing the NAO diving negative over time:

This would result in some cold air across the eastern USA.  In summary, it looks like the NAO will go negative, and the country will turn cold.  The question is when.  While the models are showing this pattern change arriving in the next 1-2 weeks, I think it may wait until about halfway through November before we truly get cold.  Don't despair snow lovers!  Stay tuned!

GFS Snow System Update

Well the GFS has been consistent with its low pressure system, and with the fact that snow may be on the back side of it.  Now, the ECMWF has finally sided with the GFS, as we woke up to this picture which is about 192 hours into the future:

Unfortunately this model does not show precipitation this far out.  We aren't going to go into specific snow amounts quite yet, but the fact that we are getting consistency with the models is just making snow more and more likely for the Midwest/Great Lakes region.  Stay tuned!