Meteorologists Forecast Normalcy on the Horizon for Snow Enthusiasts

(KNSI) — Snow lovers are going to need to hold on for another couple weeks, at least, before winter finally arrives.

Meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein says more normal conditions look to be shaping up next month. “There are some hints towards the middle of January that we could be shifting towards the colder pattern, which would support more snow, especially as, maybe, some of these clipper systems that we typically would see a few inches of snow from every now and again, would begin ramping up as well.”

Hasenstein says we are in a self-fulfilling cycle as far as winter storms go. “We’re kind of in a negative feedback loop right now. We can’t get cold enough to produce snow without snow on the ground already helping bring those temperatures down. But, at the same time, we can’t really produce snow because the temperatures are too warm.”

A change in weather pattern could kick in the opposite way where we see a steady stream of systems roll through and help to make up for lost time. That isn’t a guarantee, though. Just the possibility of more normal weather will have to do for now.

Hasenstein says winter sports enthusiasts like ice anglers, snowmobilers, and skiers shouldn’t worry too much yet. Typically, January, February, and March are our snowiest months. Most of Minnesota is running anywhere from seven to 12 degrees above normal for December. The National Weather Service predicted a warm winter with lower snow totals than normal in late November. So far, that has held true.

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