Ocean Signaling A Colder Than Average MN Winter On The Way?

The calendar hasn't even been flipped over to October yet, but some people are already thinking about winter. One weather website is hinting that a colder-than-average winter could be on the way.

Ocean Signalling That We Could Be 'Very Cold' This Winter

Right now, scientists are watching a 'marine heatwave' that in the past has created colder-than-average weather during the winter months for portions of the Midwest and Eastern United States. The last time the same area experienced a 'marine heatwave' was from 2013 to 2015, and during those winters, the state saw some of the coldest weather on record.

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Not the news homeowners were hoping to hear, as inflation has created problems for many people. Knowing that we could be in line for a possible colder-than-average winter, the cost to heat may exacerbate our wallets even more.

How Does A Warm Ocean Off The NW Coast Affect Minnesota Weather?

Think of weather in terms of high pressure and low pressure. Where there are areas of low pressure, high pressure follows, and the jet stream is influenced by these highs and lows.

If the ocean off the Pacific NW is warmer, often because of high pressure, it pushes the jetstream up and over Alaska, and then places like Minnesota and eastward would be towards the middle of an area of low pressure. The colder Alaskan/Arctic Ocean air then rushes down the jet stream, bringing colder temperatures with it. We've heard these called a 'Polar Vortex'.

It's Still Early, And Things Can Change

Like anything with weather, we are still weeks and weeks away from winter, as we just entered fall, so there is still time that things can change. But you should note, when this pattern starts to happen, meaning a marine heatwave, generally, what has followed in the past was much colder weather in our neck of the woods.