Nov 02 2009
When Does Winter Start?
It’s approaching that time of year again when people start asking the question, “When does winter start?” The answer for 2009 is December 21. However, the real underlying question that outdoors enthusiasts are asking is when do winter activities start? There are certainly a lot of people who dread the snow storms, snowblowing, shoveling and other chores associated with winter’s start, but there are just as many (if not more) people who look forward to the very first snow so that they can pull out the snowshoes, skiis, sleds, snowmobiles and all of the other outdoor gear that you love to enjoy when the snow is powdery and in great supply.
In this post I’m going to explore what climatologists are saying you can expect for the winter season this year. This prediction will include average temps, areas of the world where climate change will be most drastic, and of course where you’ll be able to find most of the snow!
When Does Winter Start? When the Snow Flies.
The first day of winter for the next few years falls on the official calendar date of December 21, except for 2011 when it’s going to fall on December 22. Setting the calendar aside, what are climatologists saying that outdoor enthusiasts can expect for the approaching winter season? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the leading U.S. Department of Commerce source for climate information, predicts that El Nino is, once again, going to be a significant factor in winter weather. The NOAA predicts warmer ocean water in the Pacific which will, in effect, strengthen the jetstream and therefore strengthening winter storms.
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