La Ninã Advisory Issued, More Snow for Minnesota?

The National Weather Service issued a La Ninã advisory yesterday, meaning cool water temperatures are along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, but what does that have to do with this winter in Minnesota?

Well, a strong LaNina generally means colder than normal winters for us, but this year's LaNina pattern is a bit less intense. When you look back at similar years, some have had below normal temperatures, and some have had above normal temperatures -- so experts generally feel that there's an equal chance of falling on either side of the below/above normal temperature line in 2020-2021.

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LaNina in the pacific also usually means above normal precipitation for Minnesota, which could result in a snowier than normal season ahead.

NOAA's precipitation outlook for December 2020 through February 2021 does indeed call for above normal precipitation.

The average winter in Saint Cloud typically delivers 48 inches of snow. So you can get a bit of an idea what a 'snowier than normal' winter could deliver.

Interestingly, both Farmer's Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac are predicting a wetter and colder than normal winter for Minnesota during the 2020-2021 season.

Pete Hanson is on 98.1 Minnesota's New Country weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:00.