December is setting up to be quite warm in much of the United States and the Ohio Valley, a pattern which we have been seeing a lot of as the climate warms. Strong December tornadoes in the mid-South for the second time in three years is also eyebrow raising. That said, winter is not cancelled.
It appears temperatures will stay warm up until Christmas but thereafter significant changes appear likely. The polar vortex, which has been pumping cold air into Europe and Siberia over the past month, is forecast to shift toward North America with periods of much colder air over the eastern United States in January and February. It remains likely that we will see some strong nor’easter snowstorms along the East Coast this winter.
One nor’easter is working its way into New England now but it is merely a teaser for what is expected after Christmas. The Ohio Valley will also see periods of much colder air in the late December-early March period but the degree to which that translates to snowfall is uncertain.
Unfortunately, it appears the dry and drought conditions may continue in the midwest and southwest for some time.
Enjoy your Christmas shopping.