Getting a general idea of what the upcoming Winter months (December, January and February) will look like for our region can be heavily influenced by El Nino and La Nina episodes. Global and oceanic forecasters have observed El Nino conditions in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean and an EL NINO ADVISORY has been issued. The episode is expected to continue through Spring (March, April and May) in the Northern Hemisphere. Model projections are pointing to a strong, possibly very strong episode occurrence. (Current Sea Surface Temps warming off S. America) Meteorologists look at monthly data from Dec - Jan - Feb to determine a winter season average, or define that period of time as Meteorological Winter. An average winter in the Local 6 area shows an average temperature of 37 degrees, average precipitation total of 12.18" and average snowfall of 8.4". The National Weather Service in Paducah has historical data that covers 7 of the past strongest El Nino episodes in the past
BITTERLY COLD WINTER NOT LIKELY; HOPE FOR SNOW LOVERS. Cooler temperatures have finally started to bring a whirl of fall feeling to the air and reminds us that the cold season is just around the corner. Like winters past, there can be a wide range of weather conditions that can either make snow lovers rejoice or send people running for the Florida sunshine. Each winter is completely different and subtle changes in the global weather pattern can have varying impacts on our region. To gain better insight forecasting into the season ahead, looking to similar weather patterns of the past can suggest likelihoods of temperature and precipitation trends. Meteorologists look at monthly data from Dec - Jan - Feb to determine a winter season average and define that period of time as Meteorological Winter. An average winter in the Paducah and surrounding area shows an average temperature of 37 degrees (January being the coldest), average precipitation total of 12.18" and average snowfa