Early winter 2016-17 weather trends!

Lots and lots of talk by all sorts of folks concerning the kind of weather we could expect for the winter months of 2016-17. I enjoy reading what all the amateur prognosticators feel will transpire. And, while I have zero credentials in the area of meteorology, that doesn't stop me from joining into the fray. So, here goes with a screen grab from the NWS:

So, what's that mean? Here's the general rule: La Niña causes mostly the opposite effects of El Niño (which has been the rule over North America for some time), with above-average precipitation across the northern Midwest, the northern Rockies, Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest's southern and eastern regions. Meanwhile, precipitation in the southwestern and southeastern states is below average (that be us here in Taney County, Missouri). This type of pattern also allows for the development of many stronger-than-average hurricanes in the Atlantic and fewer in the Pacific.Perhaps not such a good thing for the East Coast!

And, here is the latest computer generated graphic projections for both precipitation and temperatures trends:

Please click on the above graphic to more clarity.

For us, who are living in southwest Missouri, the trends would seem to indicate a slightly dryer and slightly warmer winter period. Now, does that mean that we will cruise through such a time with no worries? Not really. Mother Nature is known to throw curve balls into even the most tranquil game plan! And remember, the author of this post might just not be completely right in his head!

Lastly, and while this graphic of actual rainfall versus average rainfall for Taney County is circumstantial, it's still interesting to note that the lack of rainfall has been consistent for the past number of months! We averaged higher than normal in July and the jury's still out for November, but it's plain to see that we are in a bit of a dry spell...