SNOWY START PART II
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 -- 9:01 AM
We're off to a snowy start.The National Weather Service in La Crosse has received 15.9 inches of snow already this year. That is the 10th most on record through December 9 and the most since over 16-inches fell by this date in 1996.
Typically, around 6.5 inches of snow falls by December 9th.
This winter seems to be starting a lot like last winter?which turned out to be a real doozy, thanks to cold water in the Pacific known as La Nina.
"Right now, we're in what's called La Nada, which means there is no El Nino or La Nina," explains Jaff Boyne with the NWS, "However, if you look at the ocean right now, it's a very similar pattern to what we saw last winter."
La Nina winters are typically colder than normal and, depending on the strength of the system, snowier.
"Depending on how far north you are, it affects your snow cover. If you get back toward Minnesota, it would typically be less snow," he says.
While we're off to a snow start, Boyne says it doesn?t necessarily mean this winter will be all that bad; but, it looks like there might be more on the way.
"Right now, it looks like we're looking at another possible snowstorm that may affect the area Saturday night and Sunday," Boyne notes.
But, this early winter snow could be worse?Back in 1991 37 inches fell by December 9.
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