Another warm winter seen for much of U.S.

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSKUA45824620071004

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Long-range weather forecasts are predicting a warmer than average winter with less precipitation for much of the United States except the Pacific Northwest.

"It will be a lot like last year but the climate models are even more in agreement now than they were last fall," said Mike Halpert, head of forecast operations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

"Temperatures will be warmer than average in most places except the northwest of the country, which could see some cold."

Forecasters believe the emergence of a La Nina condition -- unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean -- will be the main factor behind the anticipated warmth for much of North America.

<more>

[aquart]

1. So don't take out the sweaters?

[TheDebbieDee]

2. I hope this info turns out to be accurate............

I live in Kansas City and I plan to use several space heaters to heat my home.

[razzleberry]

3. great news, if it pans out

less fuel burned for heat
.....................--> less global warming

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Yes, but I hate to see a poor maple syrup output because of it.

[GliderGuider]

4. I heard today that the employees of Environment Canada have an office pool going

It's a bet on the first day snow falls and stays on the ground in Ottawa. The current consensus is some time in the first half of January.

[The2ndWheel]

5. The only reason to live through summer

is to finally get to the cold of winter.

[ramapo]

6. Warm and dry in the Northeast

Temps in the mid-80s and humid here in NJ. Had to run the air conditioner last night and the same is expected through the weekend. Yuck...makes me want to stay home instead of hike.

Hasn't rained much in weeks.

Not record breaking but very unpleasant not to mention unsettling. Of course some people think it is just great.

[jpak]

8. I went swimming yesterday in Maine - 81 degrees F here

and it's October...

[NickB79]

9. I'm pretty sure the fact that the Arctic Ocean is now a huge heat sink could have some influence

We're into October, and large areas of the Arctic still haven't started forming ice yet since the water is holding so much heat from the unprecedented warm this summer.

Screw it, I'm planting peach and pear trees in central Minnesota. Ten years ago, they would have been a lost cause after only a couple of years, but I'm feeling pretty confident they'll fruit for many years to come in this new world.

[depakid]

10. "except the Pacific Northwest."

No shit.

This is the earliest I've ever seen the cold and rain begin. Started in late September and probably won't let up 'til April.

Snow levels are already down to 3,000 ft.

[happyslug]

11. Confirms the Old Farmer's Almanac's prediction

And it was made MONTHS ago. Here is the web site, but you can only get the long term weather forecast by buying the almanac of paying $4.95 for temporary access to the on line predictions.

http://www.almanac.com/weather/premium/