Winter Outlook: NOAA Predicts Below-Average Temperatures for Southeast and Mid-Atlantic
November 25, 2009

Photo courtesy of NOAA.

It’s a known fact that cold weather and snow and ice that might accompany it can cause a boon for auto glass businesses. This coming winter, businesses in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions might experience just this, according to the latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has issued its annual weather preview for the months of December through February.

Though the NOAA does not forecast actually snowfall, it does predict that the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, from southern and eastern Texas to southern Pennsylvania through Florida will experience below-average temperatures for the coming winter. In addition, the Southern Border states, such as Texas and Florida, may also experience above-average participation, according to the latest report, along with increased chance of tornado activity for the Gulf Coast region.

However, the Western and Central United States regions might not be so lucky. NOAA predicts that these areas, particularly the North-Central states from Montana through Wisconsin, will endure warmer-than-average temperatures, with period outbreaks of cold air, due to the effects of El Niño.

The agency predicts, however, that El Niño could also make the weather somewhat unpredictable.

Photo courtesy of NOAA.

“We expect El Niño to strengthen and persist through the winter months, providing clues as to what the weather will be like during the period,” says Mike Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. “Warmer ocean water in the equatorial Pacific shifts the patterns of tropical rainfall that in turn change the strength and position of the jetstream and storms over the Pacific Ocean and the [United States].”

He adds, “Other climate factors are also likely to play a role in the winter weather at times across the country. Some of these factors, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are difficult to predict more than one to two weeks in advance. The NAO adds uncertainty to the forecast in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic portions of the country.”

Those in the Pacific Northwest and the Ohio and Tennesee River Valley areas also can rest assured, when it comes to mobile work, they should be in a good position, as the NOAA predicts drier-than-average conditions for these regions.

How much do you think your business is impacted by the weather and wintry conditions? Please e-mail pstacey@glass.com.

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