New Snow Forecast Released For Connecticut's Winter 2023

CONNECTICUT — An El Niño climate pattern could mean Connecticut residents will have a warmer-than-normal or wetter-than-normal winter, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said in an updated U.S. Winter Outlook.

The United States hasn’t had an El Niño winter in four years. However, other long-range forecast from Accuweather.com and the Farmers' Almanac are predicting a snowier winter for us. (See below for more details).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists expect wetter-than-average conditions to prevail in Alaska, portions of the West, the Southern Plains, Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic from December through February. At the same time, it’ll be drier than average across the country’s northern tier, especially in the northern Rockies and High Plains and near the Great Lakes.

"An enhanced southern jet stream and associated moisture often present during strong El Niño events supports high odds for above-average precipitation for the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this winter," Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center, said in a news release.

A third of the country, including parts of the southern and central U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico, is experiencing drought conditions, according to the updated U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought conditions in Connecticut have been nonexistent as of late, according to the drought monitor. As we're more than aware, it seemingly rains every weekend in Connecticut.

What do other leading long-range forecasts say about CT and the upcoming winter season?

Accuweather.com meteorologists said "The window for snow-producing nor'easters will open in late January through February which could dish out hefty snowfall amounts to Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and beyond."

"That will be our best opportunity to see some of these big Northeast systems," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist and veteran forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

"An early-season nor'easter can't be ruled out either as the ingredients for a snowstorm may come together sometime in November," Accuweather.com added.

Accuweather.com is predicting significantly more snowfall than what we saw in 2023, where some areas in Connecticut only received a few inches of snow. In Boston, Accuweather.com is forecasting between 38-44 inches and in the New York City area between 18-26 inches of snow. (Read more at Accuweather.com).

And the Farmers' Almanac writes, "For those of you living along the I-95 corridor from Washington to Boston, who saw a lack of wintry precipitation last winter, you should experience quite the opposite, with lots of rain/sleet and snowstorms to contend with."

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Here are some specific details provided by the Farmers' Almanac:

"An East Coast storm affecting the Northeast and New England states will bring snowfall, cold rain and then frigid temperatures, during the second week of February," according to the Farmers' Almanac, while adding that "Another East Coast storm will bring a wintry mess to this area during the first week of March." (Read more at the Farmer's Almanac).

We'll see what happens. The first day of spring is March 19, 2024.