Climatological winter begins with another Lower 48 snow threat

Somehow … it’s December already! That means the beginning of climatological winter is here through the end of February. Overall, it’ll feel the part in much of the United States up ahead.

Weather Watch

December snow. Yet another — the third in a series — storm is traversing the central United States on Monday, gathering moisture and intensity as it shifts eastward. It should drop several inches of snow from Kansas through the Midwest (including around Chicago, again). On Tuesday the system will develop into a nor’easter offshore, bringing the first significant snow of the season for parts of the northern Mid-Atlantic through portions of New England.

Record cold. A quick shot of midwinter cold is coming late week for the central and eastern U.S. Records are likely from Iowa and Illinois to the East Coast on Thursday and Friday. It’ll be as cold as minus-10 or lower in Iowa, partly thanks to snow cover from recent storms.

Lingering cold. December starts where November finished up, with a lot of cold air lodged in the central and eastern Lower 48. There’s no sign of it imminently giving up in any grand fashion. In fact, colder than normal temperatures look to continue through mid-month in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions. By the final third of the month, we could deal with the impacts of the stratospheric warming and subsequent polar vortex disruption sending in more cold air.

Lightning links

More than 1,000 killed as deadly storms cause flooding and landslides across Asia. (Laura Sharman, CNN).

Snow drought has ended in Denver, additional snow chances on the way. (Alyssa Glenny, AccuWeather)

These Are America's 10 Most Weather Delayed Major Airports. (Jonathan Erdman, The Weather Channel)

About

Weekday MWF morning newsletter by a journalist/forecaster. Connecting weather and climate change dots while occasionally stirring the pot.

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