New Jersey faced a little bit of a heat wave this fall, but now there is predicted to be an above-average snowfall this winter. The Farmer Almanac predicts that snowfall will be above normal for snow-prone areas, like New Jersey. The temperatures will also be much cooler this year.
Some Southwestern states, such as California and Texas, will experience drought-quenching rain. The Eastern coastline, such as New England to Florida will all have intensely cold temperatures.
Many weather forecasters disagree and say the ongoing El Niño weather pattern will continue into this season. The El Nino comes around every 3 to 7 years to warm the sea-surface temperatures of the water. This could be a reason for ‘wetter’ weather. The El Nino pattern usually consists of a more mild and less snowy weather than average across much of the eastern United States; however, some forecasters have commented on its changeable nature and think this winter will have lots of snow.
Another reason for this sudden chill in the U.S. is because we are approaching the middle of Solar Cycle 25, which is increasing in intensity and already as strong as Solar Cycle 24, which possibly had the lowest solar activity in about 200 years. Such low activity has historically meant cooler-than-average temperatures across Earth.
The polar vortex is commonly displaced at the North Pole, so that could be a reason for the predicted colder temperature in southern Canada and the eastern/central parts of the U.S. Also, the ocean currents impact the amount of snow. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac Winter Forecast 2023–2024, “Ocean currents move atmospheric moisture, affecting storms’ location and strength. As these currents slow, weather all over the planet is impacted, sometimes in extreme ways that may extend across centuries.” Winter storms will be most prevalent from mid-January to early March, so the U.S. may not see the abnormal weather patterns until a little later into the winter.
This winter is going to be very different from the past. Restock your gloves and mittens, because this winter will be fierce!
