By Rod Hill on 2010-08-08
The National Weather Service reports a 70% confidence level that La Nina conditions in Pacific waters will be in place by the end of this year. Present sea surface temperatures are just shy of 2.0 degrees F below normal in the equatorial waters. The transition into La Nina is believed to be taking place. Confidence level of this winter's forecast will depend on how strong the La Nina becomes. The colder the Pacific waters, the greater the confidence of a cool, wet active winter season. Snow data continues to be too inconsistent to predict with any confidence. The headline today is growing confidence of a return to more wet, cool days, with an active storm pattern November through January.
Current outlook forecasts call for drier than normal weather with near average temperatures through the 20th of August. Near normal temperatures are expected into the month of October along with normal to below rain totals. November - January are predicted to be cool & wet for the Northwest. Based on the above, lets hope for a nice early fall into October and expect to get hammered this November!
Most Cloudy Starts In 9 Years!