Winter weather projections released: what to expect this winter in the Carolinas?

(PINPOINT WEATHER) — The Climate Prediction Center has released its yearly outlook for the upcoming winter season. If you are a fan of snow and you live in the Carolinas, this will be a tough read for you. 

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Unfortunately, we are looking at both warmer and drier conditions this winter. Looking for something to blame, La Niña is the culprit. 

La Niña is a climate pattern that occurs when the ocean waters of the eastern Pacific are cooler than normal. Although the change in water temperature is miles away from us in the Carolinas, La Niña brings a significant change to the position of the jet stream. 

When the waters of the eastern Pacific are cooler, the jet stream migrates further northwest. This allows for cooler and more active weather across the northern parts of the U.S., but warmer and drier conditions across the southern U.S.

This leads to more of an inland low-pressure track for the Carolinas because the jet stream is further northwest. An inland low-pressure track during the winter leads to more rainfall versus snow and other wintry precipitation.

The warmer pattern could also mean a higher chance of severe weather during the winter. December 29th of last year, we had a few tornadoes in the Queen City News viewing area.

Above is a look at the Climate Prediction Center forecast for this winter.

THE GOOD NEWS… This forecast does not mean that snow is impossible this winter; it also does not mean that we will never get cold during the winter. We can still get cold spells and possibly some wintry weather this winter in and around Charlotte. 

The mountains will be the most susceptible to snow and ice with the colder climate and upslope flow patterns.