With the exception of name we haven’t seen much winter this month. No howling winds with heavy snow and bone chilling cold have set upon us yet. With the exception of a few sunny days the month of December has been depressing.
The Arctic Oscillation still remains neutral as it has most of the month – Cold temperatures will be mostly confined to eastern Europe and Alaska this week but will start spreading south and east first across western Canada and then the Western United States (US). Meanwhile temperatures will mostly average normal to above normal in Eastern Canada and the Eastern US..
The big question is will we have a polar disruption which will move the cold air back into the northern U.S.? The CPC continues to show positive chances of above normal temps which are in the low 30s for this time of year and chances of above normal precipitation which could be a rain and snow mix over the next couple weeks.
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The NAM is showing rain from our next system with some wraparound snow starting today running through the weekend – not much more than an inch of snow for SW Michigan. The most snow cover is predicted to be in the northern and eastern counties through Sunday. Temps should be in the low to mid 30s.
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Snow cover and really cold air through the rest of the month should be contained in Canada, the extreme northern U.S. and the Rockies according to the GEM models. The model is trying to show the cold air nosing its way towards Michigan at the end of the month – we will have to see if this pans out for a cold wave in January, but I am wondering if it will be short lived.
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The GEFS is more bullish on snow as we move into the new year with temps around freezing to slightly below and the snow fall being higher in the northern lower and the U.P..
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At this point most of the models show a continuation of a warmer than normal pattern which may last through at least mid month January – of course this may change (or not) with future forecasts. The next couple weeks should be more active bringing both rain and snow though we are not expecting much in snow accumulations. There are expectations of a large system building in the plains next week though we are expected to be on the warm side once again.
Picked up an inch of
snow here for a white Christmas! Another RDB bingo baby!
I’m glad the weather held off for us, as a Lawncare/snowplower owner, there is nothing worse than not being able to finish a season. As of today we finally finished our fall clean… Even though i don’t like snowplowing, we are ready for when it comes!!!!!
Wow, even WOOD tv is throwing in the towel!
https://www.woodtv.com/weather/get-ready-for-a-not-so-white-christmas-in-w-mi/1669099075
I saw that on the 6 news. I think back to Jan 78 when we got a heck of a snow storm that was so deep. Nothing moved. It was never in the forecast. It caught everyone by surprise. Our neighbor came over with his tractor and cleared us out.
Good old rain showers. Nothing beats no snow and no travel worries.
Can’t wait for this milder December turns cold all the way to April and no January thaw this year then what?? ….lol! I’m dreaming of a white Christmas just like last year’s record breaking snows on Christmas day….Ho Ho..INDYSNOW!!
Me too, although it doesn’t look promising. Oh well, at least the roads will be good for traveling.
Yes they will and that helps a lot of people.
That’s what you said about December a month ago. Just goes to show wish casting does not equal reality.
Berry from zland lol! INDY!
Wow, laughing at your own ridiculousness.
IKR !! Lol !!!
We had a white Christmas this year!!!!!!
Wow, GR hit 48 yesterday! No snow storms in sight for at least another 10+ days in what is usually the snowiest part of the year. I love it!
Temps turning colder with snow showers Sunday…Have a wonderful Thursday MV’S best ….I’m dreaming of a white Christmas! Sprites away..Ho Ho INDY!
I believe the song for December is …..Let it NOT snow, let it NOT snow, let it NOT snow!
Where are we standing with regards to departure from average on temperature for December?
GR +0.6
Sounds like the perfect Winter weather update! Little to no snow accumulations through mid January would be a great thing, but not surprising considering the long term weather pattern we have been in for years now. Sure there has been a blip here or there, like this past November or April, but overall it has continued to be mild and snowless with no change in sight.
After a cold and some what snowy November much of the southern great lakes area is in a major snow fall drought for December. It is now December 20th and here are some TOTAL snow fall totals from around Michigan Grand Rapids 1.9”….Muskegon 1.8”….Lansing 0.3”….Detroit 0.1”….Flint 1.0”….Saginaw 0.2”….Alpena 2.5”….Sault Ste Marie 10.5”….Marquette 21.0 In states to the near west and south it in not any better. Milwaukee 0.2….Madison WI 1.0”….Chicago 0.3”….Rockford IL 0.5” Fort Wayne 0.1”….South Bend 0.7”….Toledo 0.1” Here at Grand Rapids we are still on track for a top ten least snowy Decembers on record. At this time… Read more »
Wow!! This is INCREDIBLE WARMTH for this time of year!! An AMAZING NINE days in a row of ABOVE NORMAL temps!!! Who Knew?!!??!? Today will be just another ABOVE AVERAGE temp day with zero snow in sight!!! Keep it ROCKIN and get out and enjoy this beautiful weather!!
The lack of snow is what is incredible. I have to wonder if this is what the whole winter will be like? Time will tell.
Slim
It’s certainly looking like it!
Nope…