donsutherland1

The 1z NBE shows 1.1" snow for New York City on Friday with a daily minimum temperature of 38°. If that winds up being the low, the odds are very strongly against measurable snowfall, even if some snow mixes with the rain. Below is the historic data:

A soaking rain will arrive overnight. The rain will likely continue into Friday morning with the heaviest rainfall occurring overnight into tomorrow morning. A general 1.00"-2.00" rainfall with some locally higher amounts is likely. The rain will likely as a period of wet snow or flurries on Friday morning in the distant northern and western suburbs, especially hilly sections where some accumulations are possible. That rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal but not exceptionally cold temperatures. A stronger shot of cold could arrive to end the month or start December. The first week of December could feature generally below normal temperatures. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was 0.0°C for the week centered around November 13. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.20°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.30°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. Uncertainty as to whether a La Niña will develop has increased. The SOI was +16.99 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -1.706 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 98% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.5° (3.5° above normal).

It will mild tomorrow with temperatures topping out mainly in the middle and upper 50s. The dry weather will continue through most of tomorrow. Rain is likely late tomorrow night into Friday morning. Models have grown wetter in recent cycles. A storm total of 1.00"-2.00" is likely with a few locally higher amounts. There is a chance that distant northern and western suburbs, especially hilly sections, could see the rain end as a period of wet snow or flurries. That rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal but not exceptionally cold temperatures. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was 0.0°C for the week centered around November 13. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.20°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.30°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. Uncertainty as to whether a La Niña will develop has increased. The SOI was +15.46 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -1.178 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 97% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.5° (3.5° above normal).

It will turn somewhat cooler tomorrow with temperatures topping out mainly in the middle 50s. The dry weather will continue through the middle of the week. Rain is likely Wednesday night and Thursday. A storm total of 0.50"-1.00" is likely with some locally higher amounts of 1.50". That rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal but not exceptionally cold temperatures. With the remainder of November potentially becoming mainly dry following the rainstorm, parts of the region could challenge records for their driest fall and driest season on record. Select records are below: New York City: Driest fall: 4.00", Fall 1908; Driest season: 3.92", Summer 1999 Newark: Driest fall: 4.21", Fall 1931; Driest season: 4.21", Fall 1931 Philadelphia: Driest fall: 2.37", Fall, 1922; Driest season: 2.37", Fall 1922 Wilmington, DE: Driest fall: 3.17", Fall 1922; Driest season: 3.17", Fall 1922 The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was +0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was 0.0°C for the week centered around November 13. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.20°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.30°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. Uncertainty as to whether a La Niña will develop has increased. The SOI was +9.29 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.012 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 96% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.4° (3.4° above normal).

Tomorrow will be another mild day with temperatures topping out in the lower to perhaps middle 60s across much of the region. The dry weather will continue through the middle of the week. Rain is likely Wednesday night and Thursday. The potential exists for 0.50"-1.50" of rain. That rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal but not exceptionally cold temperatures. With the remainder of November potentially becoming mainly dry following the rainstorm, parts of the region could challenge records for their driest fall and driest season on record. Select records are below: New York City: Driest fall: 4.00", Fall 1908; Driest season: 3.92", Summer 1999 Newark: Driest fall: 4.21", Fall 1931; Driest season: 4.21", Fall 1931 Philadelphia: Driest fall: 2.37", Fall, 1922; Driest season: 2.37", Fall 1922 Wilmington, DE: Driest fall: 3.17", Fall 1922; Driest season: 3.17", Fall 1922 The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +8.52 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.241 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 90% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.2° (3.2° above normal).

No worries. I thought my discussion might have been unclear. Hopefully, things will turn out better than what I expect.

Tomorrow will be another mild day with temperatures topping out in the lower 60s across much of the region. The dry weather will continue through the middle of next week. Rain is likely Wednesday night and Thursday. The potential exists for 0.50" or more of rain. That rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal but not exceptionally cold temperatures. With the remainder of November potentially becoming mainly dry following rainsform next week, parts of the region could challenge records for their driest fall and driest season on record. Select records are below: New York City: Driest fall: 4.00", Fall 1908; Driest season: 3.92", Summer 1999 Newark: Driest fall: 4.21", Fall 1931; Driest season: 4.21", Fall 1931 Philadelphia: Driest fall: 2.37", Fall, 1922; Driest season: 2.37", Fall 1922 Wilmington, DE: Driest fall: 3.17", Fall 1922; Driest season: 3.17", Fall 1922 The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +6.87 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was -0.131 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 93% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.5° (3.5° above normal).

I suspect that BC will see a stormy winter. Vancouver could see a lot of rain. Interior sections will probably see much above normal snowfall. Temperatures could also break on the cold side of normal.

When I referenced 2001-02 and 2016-17, I was referring to snowfall across large areas, not for any specific city. There was a lot of variability on a city-by-city bases for all the of the scenarios tested.

A mild and dry weekend is likely with readings topping out in the lower 60s across much of the region. The dry weather will likely continue through the middle of next week. Rain is possible late next week. The potential exists for 0.50" or more rain. The rain will likely be followed by a period of below normal temperatures. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +3.56 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.139 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 90% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.4° (3.4° above normal).

Winter 2024-2025 Outlook Rationale: The C3S appears reasonable given my base assumptions and scenario testing. Notable areas and areas where the outcome could diverge from the C3S forecast are highlighted on the maps. Outlook: The northwestern quarter of the United States has the highest risk of winding up somewhat colder than normal, especially in the Pacific Northwest where precipitation will likely be much above average. Precipitation will likely be below normal across the southern tier of the United States and up the East Coast into southern New England. The drought in the northeastern U.S. will likely intensify during the winter. Spring could turn wetter in that region. Select Snowfall Amounts: Albany: 50” Baltimore: 10” Boston: 35” (its record streak without 4” daily snowfall will likely end) Burlington: 75” Buffalo: 95” Charlotte: Trace (its record streak without measurable snowfall will likely continue) Chicago: 40” Detroit: 45” Harrisburg: 20” New York City: 16.5” (Statistical temperature-snowfall peers: 1952-53, 1998-99) Newark: 18” Philadelphia: 12” Portland: 60” Richmond: 4.5” Toronto: 45” (114.3 cm) Washington, DC: 8” Note: Snowfall estimates have the highest risk of error, as synoptic factors that cannot be assessed at seasonal timeframes are involved. Key Assumptions: ENSO: La Niña but possibly cold Neutral Relative ENSO: -0.5 or below AO/NAO: Predominantly positive with some variability PDO: Strongly negative to negative PNA: Generally negative EPO: Generally neutral to positive QBO: Strongly positive Additional Factors: Impact of High Marine Heat Content in the North Pacific: High marine heat content in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, driven by marine heatwaves, has been associated with warmer winter temperatures in coastal regions. This can extend to broader climatic impacts, including potential warming in eastern North America. MJO-NAO: The MJO-NAO connection has been strengthening in a warming climate, likely due to an extending jet stream that allows for more effective Rossby wave propagation. The MJO has shown an increased tendency to spend more time in Phases 3-5, which tends to favor a positive NAO. An ongoing marine heatwave in the Marine Continent area could elevate the risk of Phases 3-5/4-6. NAO: Severe NAO blocks in September, as occurred this year, often precede winters with generally positive NAO regimes. Scenario Range: Scenarios from 1980-present Due to climate change and its impacts on the Northern Hemisphere cold pool (shrinking), atmospheric circulation (driven by Arctic amplification and marine heatwaves), and ongoing warming, years prior to 1980 reflect a climate that no longer exists. Pre-1980 scenarios are low probability scenarios, particularly with respect to expansive cold anomalies and widespread prolonged snow cover that helps sustain the cold. Winter 2016-17 (snowiest La Niña scenario used) Winter 2001-02 (low probability, neutral-cold ENSO winter) to address the question, “What is a likely worst case?”

A gradual warming trend will get underway tomorrow with temperatures returning to the 50s across the region. A mild and dry weekend is likely with readings in the lower 60s. The dry weather will likely continue into at least early next week. Rain is possible late next week. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +11.51 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.557 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 89% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.5° (3.5° above normal).

New York City saw its first low temperature in the 30s this morning. That was tied with 1946 for the third latest first sub-40° temperature of the season. The average first such temperature occurs on October 24th (1991-2020 baseline). 2024 is the fourth consecutive year with the first such temperature occurring in November. The old record was three consecutive years during 1994-1996. The temperature will again top out in the middle and upper 40s tomorrow. A warm front will also slip across the region tomorrow. Afterward, it will again turn milder to end the week. A mild and dry weekend is likely with readings in the lower 60s. The dry weather will likely continue into at least early next week. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +15.08 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.476 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 91% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.6° (3.6° above normal).

A just published paper revealed that a new climate oscillation is emerging in the Arctic Ocean due to climate change. This oscillation is characterized by multidecadal variations in annual surface temperature and is driven by intensified air-sea interaction due to sea-ice loss. This new mode of internal variability is projected to emerge when sea ice declines below a critical threshold, potentially impacting global weather and climate. Multiple lines of evidence from climate model simulations support the emergence of this new oscillation. The CMIP6 ensemble shows the oscillation emerging in the 21st century. Additionally, analysis of mid-Pliocene simulations from the PlioMIP2 suggests the potential existence of this oscillation in past warm climates. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02171-3

A strong cold shot will deliver the coldest air mass, by far, this fall into the region. The temperature will fall into the 30s tomorrow morning in Central Park. This would rank as the third latest first sub-40° temperature of the season. The average first such temperature occurs on October 24th (1991-2020 baseline). 2024 will be the fourth consecutive year with the first such temperature occurring in November. The old record was three consecutive years during 1994-1996. The temperature will remain in the middle and upper 40s for highs tomorrow and Thursday. A warm front will also slip across the region Thursday. Afterward, it will again turn milder to end the week. A mild and dry weekend is likely. The dry weather will likely continue into at least early next week. The NAO fell to a preliminary -2.751 on September 24th (all-time September record: -2.371, September 12, 1971). That was the 9th lowest value on record. La Niña winters following September cases where the NAO fell to -1.900 or below featured a predominantly positive NAO. The most recent such winters were 2016-2017 and 2022-2023. The mean temperatures for those winters in New York City were 39.3° and 41.0° respectively. The 1991-2020 normal value is 36.2°. A warmer to much warmer than normal outcome is favored by the November run of the ECMWF for Winter 2024-2025. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.2°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.3°C for the week centered around November 6. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.32°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.35°C. Neutral ENSO conditions may evolve into a La Niña event during the late fall. The SOI was +14.50 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) was +0.278 today. Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 88% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal November (1991-2020 normal). November will likely finish with a mean temperature near 51.6° (3.6° above normal).