Ohio Valley Snowfall Departure December 2021 - March 2022
❄ The Ohio Valley 2021/22 Winter Forecast is here! Anyone that has lived in the Ohio Valley knows that Winter is one of the toughest seasons to predict. This region lies within the crossroads of residual warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, lobes of bitter, Arctic air from Canada, along with an active jet stream!

As a second year La NiΓ±a takes control, higher precipitation totals are the result. The million dollar question that surfaces during a La NiΓ±a Winter, is whether it will be warm with rain/storms, or cold with ice/snow?Β  The evolution of where certain large-scale features lie during the Winter months will determine actual results.

Ohio Valley Temperature Departure December 2021 - March 2022
Our current forecast suggests that a slightly below normal temperature regime will exist for the northern two-thirds of the Ohio Valley, while the Southeast portion of the region will be near normal. This does not mean we will not experience periods of warm weather and rain. There will be a roller coaster of temperatures across the region as usual, especially in January. The good news for Snow enthusiasts is that a modest ridge is expected to persist over far western Canada and Alaska, which will allow adequate cold air to drain southward into the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley at times this winter, leading to several potential snow threats.
  • 🌑 Winter Snowfall Forecast
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    🌑 The 2020/21 SWC Winter Snowfall Forecast illuminates a wintry picture over a large portion of America. A La Nina favored large-scale pattern with upper-level ridging in the west and troughing in the east was considered in developing this forecast. Other influences, from the Arctic to the North Atlantic, could play a major role on how storm systems progress across the country.
From the middle of November through around the end of this year, a colder look appears to be developing, and could affect the eastern half of the country with drier conditions and below normal temperatures. This could provide an opportunity for a couple of light or even moderate Winter Storms in December near the Ohio Valley. This could lead to a fast start to the Winter for many areas.

Winter will disappear for a few weeks in January as unseasonably warm air promotes an increase in rainfall across Kentucky and Southern Ohio, and Wintry precipitation in the northern half of the region. Most will cash in their winter chips and go home, but we caution doing that this year, for we expect winter to come roaring back by early February bringing bitter cold and snow chances back to the Ohio Valley. All in all, this is why we feel temperatures will run near to slightly below normal for the majority of the region. With an active storm track and plentiful precipitation, it is shaping up to be an active Winter!

Stay tuned all winter long as we track potential storms across the Ohio Valley!

❄ This Winter Outlook is provided by the SWC Forecast Team.

  • β˜ƒοΈ The SWC Winter Forecast has been released for the 2021-22 Season. Our forecasters break down the details of how the upcoming Winter will play out across the United States.
  • ⚠️ U.S Advisory Layers
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    ⚠️ Click on real-time watch, warning, and advisory polygons for critical weather information. Allow the SWC location feature to plot your location on the map. Expand the map and visit all SWC Weather Layers.
  • 🧊 As Winter Weather impacts become more frequent across America, it's important to brush up on the basics. Let's review how you can prepare yourself and your family for the worst of Old Man Winter!
    πŸ“¦ Pack an Emergency Supply Kit.
    πŸ“± Charge all Communication devices.
    πŸš— Winterize all family vehicles.
    πŸ“– Get up-to-date weather reports.
    πŸ™Œ Share your travel plans with others.
    πŸ›£ Monitor road conditions.
  • πŸ“‘ View the latest Goes-16 Visible Satellite image of the United States. This image will update every 5 minutes.
  • πŸ”₯ As La Nina continues to control the overall pattern across the Western U.S., dry conditions are prevailing across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. These conditions are forecasted to continue through Winter 2020/21.