Last August, the Old Farmers Almanac released their winter weather predictions and the outlook for West Virginia was promising: a winter that was milder than last year. But no one could predict the one turn of events that would change it all from better to worse. You probably won’t like the updated winter-into-spring forecast for the Mountain State – and you can thank the North Pole for most of what’s to come.

While the original predictions called for mild temperatures for the duration, the updated version isn't quite as favorable.
Flickr/Random Michelle
It all started in the middle of January when the polar vortex broke apart over the North Pole, an occurrence that can happen every few years. In short, the polar vortex keeps the frigidly cold air found at the North Pole spinning in the atmosphere above the North Pole.
Flickr/Joanne C Sullivan
Every few years it breaks open and once the polar vortex breaks, it channels frigid air southward toward the U.S. in several cold streams high in the atmosphere. So, thanks to Mother Nature and the broken polar vortex, we can expect more gray days, more bitterly cold temps, more snow, and more ice — and for MUCH longer than normal.
Flicir/katie wheeler

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The bitter cold air is expected to stick around all the way into the month of April.
Flickr/Random Michelle
Now, what about precipitation? Expect the frigid temps to be accompanied by more storminess than normal; meaning more snow, more ice, and more inconveniences as you try to navigate life for the next few months.
Flickr/Random Michelle
Month-by-month, the updated forecast predicts February will be unbearably cold with temps well below the norm. The frigid temps will continue into March when they are expected to warm up a bit, yet still be lower than average for the month of March.
Flickr/Joanne C Sullivan

Just when should we see the light on the other side of this usual frigidly cold season? Forecasts are saying it should happen by mid-to-late-April.

For a look back at a blizzard that paralyzed the Mountain State in 1978, keep reading here!

 

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