For SouthCoast residents who are fond of the area’s usual snowfall, it may seem like the last few winters have been a major disappointment.
According to Climate Central, 64% of locations now get less snow than they did in the 1970s. Those days bring back memories of the Blizzard of ’78 when nearly two feet of snow was dumped on the area overnight.
Now, we are lucky to get even a foot of snow during the entire winter season In fact, last year’s recorded snowfall in the Boston area was a historic low of only 9.8 inches.
If you are hoping to enjoy a picturesque New England winter of the past, you may be disappointed as it is on track to be warmer than normal.
A man uses a snow blower to clean the snow last year from his driveway in Fairhaven.
How much snow are we predicted to get this year?
A poncho may come in handier this year than a snow shovel, as forecasts all show that the area will experience a wet winter with mild temperatures and many rainy days.
AccuWeather’s long-range meteorologists predict that this year the area could get 30 to 40 inches of snow, a more reserved prediction than last year’s 44 inches.
This year is expected to have a La Niña event, anticipated to be weak this weather pattern happens when the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean is cooler than average. La Niña can cause swings in precipitation, it may send bursts of cold air across the SouthCoast with fluctuating temperatures and mixed precipitation.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center estimates that New England will have above-normal temperatures through February.
If you follow the Old Farmer’s Almanac, our region may see snow going into the new year, with snow predicted from Dec. 28 to 31. On-and-off flurries are also anticipated throughout January.
Will we have a white Christmas?
Unfortunately, for those dreaming of a white Christmas, climate change is making that perfect snow dusting unlikely. Climate Central found that Christmas time has warmed up in 97% of locations evaluated since 1969.
The coastal influence of the warmer Atlantic Ocean is giving the area less than a 25% chance of getting a nostalgic white Christmas.
The Farmers’ Almanac foresees a white Christmas this year in the northern part of New England, but we are looking at rain along the southern coast.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: White Christmas, show predictions in New Bedford and Fall River
