Now, there are all kinds of ways people go about predicting the weather patterns for the upcoming winter.  Some look at what the bugs are doing, others say the woolly bear caterpillar holds the secret, while others look at the Farmer’s Almanacs, and others may rely on El Nino/La Nina characteristics to determine how much snow will fall in a particular region of the country.  Which one does Randosteve believe in?  Of course the one that predicts the most snow.  What about you???

NOAA Precipitation Predictions for most of this winter.

Right now, the predictions are all over the map, with the Farmer’s Almanac and Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting somewhat similar forecasts.  NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) says that the Pacific Ocean is currently set up for either an El Nino or La Nina effect this winter.  Currently, a lingering La Nina situation is still in place in the Pacific, with some believing that we will have a similar winter to last year…which would be great.  Others say that an El Nino episode is set to take place this winter…which could be bummer for much of the intermountain region.

Farmer’s Almanac

For 2008–2009, the Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting a “numbing” winter, with below-average temperatures for at least two-thirds of the country. Only the Far West and Southeast will see near-normal temperatures. Few, if any, locations will enjoy many above-normal temperature days this upcoming season.

Precipitation-wise, most of the South, as well as the Midwest, should experience above-normal conditions, while the rest of the nation will average close to normal. With below-normal winter temperatures and an above-normal precipitation forecast, the Great Lakes and Midwest will see above-normal snowfalls, especially during January and February.

Above-normal precipitation is forecast for the Southwest during December 2008 and for the Southeast in January and February 2009. It should also turn out to be an unusually wet and/or snowy February across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

In contrast, for the Pacific Northwest, where wet weather is usually the rule during the winter, February could actually turn out to be a bit drier than normal.

Old Farmer’s Almanac

Intermountain- Winter will be much colder and drier than normal, on average, with snowfall above normal in the north and below normal in the south. The coldest temperatures will occur in late December, early, mid and late January, and late February. April and May will be cooler than normal, with slightly above-normal precipitation.

Pacific Northwest- Winter temperatures will be about one-half degree above normal, on average, with above-normal rainfall in the north and below-normal rainfall in the south. The coldest periods will be in mid- and late November, early December, and mid-January. The snowiest periods will be in mid-November and mid-January.  April and May will be cooler and drier than normal.

Pacific Southwest- Winter temperatures will be about one degree below normal, on average, with the coldest periods in mid-December, early and mid-January, and early February. Rainfall and mountain snowfall will be below normal, with the stormiest periods in mid-November, mid-January, late February, and mid-March. Relatively cool and dry weather will continue in April and May.

Northeast- Winter will be colder than normal, on average, primarily due to persistent cold temperatures throughout December. Other cold periods will occur in early and mid- to late January, early and mid-February, and early March. Precipitation will be near or slightly above normal, with below-normal snowfall in the north and above-normal snowfall in the south. The biggest snowstorm will occur in early March, with other snowy periods in late November, mid- and late December, early and late January, and mid-February. April and May will be warmer than normal, with especially warm temperatures in late April. Rainfall will be slightly below normal.