El Nino to Keep Polar Vortex at Bay This Winter

[Ravenchamp]

After starting the week mild, temperatures will fall back to levels more typical of November in parts of the central and eastern United States through this weekend.

The first shot of colder air is currently spreading from the northern Plains into the Midwest behind a strong low pressure system in Canada. In most cases, temperatures will fall back to near-average levels in the Midwest Thursday, and then the Northeast Friday.

For example, the recent highs in the 50s and low 60s in Chicago will be replaced with highs in the 40s on Thursday and Friday. Minneapolis will see its recent run in the 50s and low 60s drop to the 30s Thursday and Friday.

•Boston, New York and Washington: Highs in the upper 40s  this weekend.

www.weather.com/forecast/regional/news/chilly-air-after-storm-north-nov-2015

[Ravenchamp]

Been some good furnace nights for sure

[shutout]

Not the last few days

[Deleted]

My heat is off.

[Ravenchamp]

Hate this up and down temp shift, wish it would become stable for the season

[Evil Yoda]

It can become stable at today's temperatures, sure.

[Deleted]

Our high temperature today (through 4PM) at BWI was 66 degrees.  Normal temperature: 51/33. Last year on this day was: 39/24. Records: 73/15.  IMHO the weather has been fairly mild this season compared to dealing with mid 20s as lows or as extreme as the teens!

This upcoming week doesn't look too bad temperature wise for this time of year but we'll have some rain to deal with.  (Excerpt from State Tabular Forecast below from KLWX).  Latest can be pulled from www.atmos.albany.edu/cgi/quick.cgi?station=lwx&surfaceh=1&surfacedh=1&state=yes

  SUN      MON      TUE      WED      THU      FRI      SAT
  NOV 29   NOV 30   DEC 01   DEC 02   DEC 03   DEC 04   DEC 05
...BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON METRO...
  BALTIMORE
  RAIN     PTCLDY   RAIN     SHWRS    SUNNY    PTCLDY   SUNNY
  47/49    38/49    43/55    50/54    37/49    33/49    32/48  <---Min/Max
  80/70    10/20    60/70    70/70    10/10    10/10    10/10  <---Prob of Preci
Longer range outlooks are generally pointing towards above normal for temperatures. For example, the 8 to 14 day outlook from NOAA-CPC calls for a 70% chance of above normal temperatures. The experimental 3-4 week outlook calls for a 60% chance of above normal temperatures. You can find the latest climate outlooks at: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

[Ravenchamp]

Much of the central and eastern United States can expect mild weather often from December into January due to El Niño.

El Niño occurs when tropical Pacific waters are warmer than normal, and the pattern can last several months to a couple of years. The warm waters can impact the weather patterns around much of the globe.

While the pattern may not be good news for cold weather enthusiasts, it will translate to savings on heating for at least part of the winter.

According to AccuWeather Chief Long Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, an ongoing and strengthening El Niño may succeed in keeping arctic air out of much of the United States well into the winter.

"We see impressive signals that the overall mild pattern that got rolling in the Central and Eastern states during October and November will hold through December and into January," Pastelok said.

This does not necessarily mean that every day will be mild and free of snow in the central and eastern U.S., but rather cold and snowy days will be infrequent.

[Evil Yoda]

I like this!

[aboutwell]

I had to mow my lawn last week... never done that this late in the year...

[Ravenchamp]

Seeing alot grass cutting in December, wth lol

[Deleted]

Treated lawns, in particular, are still lush and growing. It's unusual for this time of year, but not unprecedented.