The winter season began here in the U.S. on December 21, 2017, and is said to end on March 21, 2018. However, weather forecasts show that the southern and northern parts of the county are expected to experience different climates. This is all due to the influence of La Niña in the country.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the northern tier is expected to experience a colder winter, while the south should anticipate a dry and mild winter. The prediction is set to last for the whole winter.
The Impact of the Solar Minimum and Climate Change
La Niña is not the only factor that affects the current weather condition. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted that the country is expected to have no visible sign of the Sun due to low solar activity. This is known as the solar minimum.
Solar activity influences the country’s weather patterns over a long period of time. The lower the solar activity, the lower the temperature. However, despite this, it appears that this year’s winter is not any cooler than the last. Greenhouse gases appear to be a big factor that offsets the cooling from La Niña and the low solar activity.
What to Expect in Winter in the Start of Year 2018
Though most weather forecasts predict a steady weather report for the whole three months of winter, there may be more to expect. There were some heavy snowing at the beginning of the year in the Northeast and Midwest. In the Southeast, there were even instances of high winds and freezing rain. As the days progressed, bomb cyclones have been experienced in the Southeast. This includes areas like Florida where cold weather is not usually expected. The temperatures in Florida have even gotten colder to the point that the state became colder than parts of Alaska.
Earlier this year, California has already suffered flooding and mudslides. It appears that high pressure is even building up in the Southwest coast, which means more storms could be expected for winter. In the Pacific Northwest, it won’t remain as cold anymore as heavy snow and rain is expected to end.
Overall, the winter winds are expected to remain cold all over the country. However, the temperatures are not expected to break previous records anytime soon. Heavy snow is still expected in the northeast, so there is no need to cancel skiing plans anytime soon. On the other hand, if you plan to have other outdoor activities in other parts of the country, be prepared for cold and rainy weather for weeks to come.
Written by Accurate Heating and Cooling in Columbia, MO
