Winter 2014-2015 Outlook

The seasonable weather has continue for much of the region during the past week. A cold front did move through the area early last week but temperatures quickly moderated over the weekend. The weather for the region is generally quiet as a strong coastal low pressure system is currently moving into Southern New England. A weak cold front is slowly moving through Ohio and could eventually lead to some snow showers Wednesday into Thursday. Once this system moves away milder air will return for the weekend.

Currently a weak cold front is moving through the area as a strong coastal storm is affecting New England. Most precipitation with the costal storm is in the form of rain except for locations well inland and high in elevation. Rain showers will be developing overnight for Northern Ohio and will change over to light show showers.

On Wednesday Northeast Ohio will be under the influence of the costal low with a colder northerly flow affecting the area. Light snow showers will persist as temperatures hold in the lower 30’s. Similar conditions will continue for the region on Thursday. Snow accumulations will be light with perhaps one or two inches locally.

On Friday the costal storm will be moving away and drier air will start to move into the area. Temperatures will warm up a few more degrees into the upper 30’s as sky conditions begin to clear. Temperatures continue to moderate over the weekend with temperatures generally in the lower to middle 40’s.

On Monday the region will still be under a mild southerly air flow. Temperatures will rise to near 50 degrees as a storm system approaches from the south and west.

Looking ahead the arctic air appears to stay locked up though the week before Christmas. Probabilities are that temperatures will general average above normal for the next 8-14 days.  At this time a white Christmas may be in jeopardy

Now it is time for my winter outlook which I really do not like to do or put much trust in. After last winter’s harsh cold and snow assault people are thinking this winter will be repeat. A local television station is predicting a consistently cold winter for Northeast Ohio. Accuweather  and the Old Farmer’s Almanac  also are predicting a cold and snowy winter for the region. While these predictions line up with one another, I believe the odds of a repeat cold and snowy winter are low for Northeast Ohio. I believe temperatures this winter will be near normal to slightly above normal. Snow fall has gotten off to a fast start but I do not believe that pace will last and we will end up with near to slight below normal snowfall amounts. As a side note NOAA is predicting a near normal winter.