Here’s What Winter Weather the U.S. and Colorado Can Expect
The United States is bracing for another turbulent winter as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their forecast for the coming months. And while some parts of the country can expect relief from devastating droughts, others, such as Colorado, may face a reality of increased heating costs.
According to NOAA forecasters, this winter is likely to bring stormy and rainy weather to Florida and the Gulf Coast, providing much-needed relief to the region. However, other parts of the country may not be so lucky.
Seasonal snowfall totals may exceed the historical average in Denver, where 49.4 inches is the historical average for the entire season. AccuWeather is projecting a seasonal accumulation of 50 to 60 inches this winter.
The western U.S., including states like Colorado, could see below-normal snowfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures, which can have a significant impact on Americans' heating costs. Which for skiers and communities that rely on snow tourism this isn’t great news.
"The uncertainty is very high," said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Climate Prediction Center’s operations prediction branch, when discussing the El Niño climate pattern that is expected to drive the winter outlook this year.
El Niño is known for causing changes in global weather patterns, leading to floods, heat waves, droughts, and fires in different regions. However, the effects of El Niño have become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, making it difficult to accurately predict specific weather outcomes.
Less snow for the northern Rockies, Plains and Great Lakes. Across the northern tier of the United States, El Niño is known for a tendency toward warmer and drier conditions, and that probably means below-normal snowfall for a large swath of the continental United States.
But what does this mean for Americans, particularly those in the western region of the country?
According to AccuWeather forecasters, this winter may not be a repeat of last year's harsh winter with above-average snowfall across the Midwest. Instead, states like Colorado could see less frequent snowfall and milder temperatures, leading to lower demand for heating and potentially lower heating costs.
However, as temperatures are expected to drop in the second half of the winter, Americans may see an increase in their energy bills as they try to keep warm during the colder months.
The western region also faces the potential for increased drought conditions, which can affect not only heating costs but also overall quality of life. While the predicted storm track may provide relief to parts of the Four Corners and southern Rockies, some areas may continue to suffer from water shortages due to years of drought.
READ MORE:
BIDEN COMES TO COLORADO PUSHING QUESTIONABLE ENERGY AND FOREIGN POLICIES
COLORADO LAWMAKER’S 'GREEN AGENDA' THREATENS BUSINESSES AND JOBS
EARTH JUSTICE LAWYER JOINS A MARXIST AS LATEST APPOINTMENTS TO COLORADO HOUSE
Meanwhile, parts of the East Coast, like the Acela corridor from Washington to Boston, can expect a slight tendency towards greater-than-normal precipitation. However, NOAA stresses that this could be due to one or two large storms, rather than a consistent trend.
Overall, this winter could bring a mix of different weather patterns across the United States, making it impossible to predict a definitive outcome. But one thing is for sure, Americans should prepare for potentially higher heating costs due to war in the Middle East and the Ukraine, increased demand at home as they try to stay warm during the colder months and bad energy policies of the current administration.