It might still be sunny and summery out there, but any good Wisconsinite is prepared for that to change at the drop of a hat. The folks over at the Farmer’s Almanac are already thinking about winter. Weather forecasts and projections have just been released for winter 2018-19, and we think many Wisconsinites will be be happy about the outlook.
If you’re not a fan of freezing cold temperatures, you might be glad to hear that this year’s winter is predicted to be milder than usual, though December and March show as likely to have below average temperatures.
Not great news for skiing fans, but fabulous news for all of us who hate to shovel, this winter is likely to be more rainy than snowy, with overall precipitation at or below the normal average.
According to the almanac, "The snowiest periods will be in mid- and late November, early and mid-December, and early and late March." On the one hand, that sounds like a lot, but on the other, January and February sound like they'll be clear of the slippery stuff.
The warmer-than-normal forecast might mean no ice caves this year. "Our milder-than-normal forecast is due to a decrease in solar activity and the expected arrival of a weak El Niño, which will prevent cold air masses from lingering in the North," they said.
It’s impossible to guarantee any of these predictions, but they are similar to the ones put out by the National Weather Service, so it's probably safe to say that in general, they're going to be correct. That means you might be able to get away with just a single layer of long johns underneath your fleece-lined pants this winter!
Though we complain, we do love winter in Wisconsin, when there's so much to do and love about our great state. No matter what the weather is, you can be sure it won't deter us from having a blast!
What’s your favorite part of wintertime in Wisconsin? What are you most looking forward to about this possible upcoming warmer winter? Let us know in the comment section below!