No end of snow in sight
More snow is predicted for February and March, the peak months for snowfall.
Meghann Rise
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Much of the predictions for this winter were based on the El Niño that developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean this winter, but the Arctic Oscillation interfered and had significant effects.
"The overall weather patterns that we typically see with El Niño did not set up across the United States this year due to an overwhelming influence of the Arctic Oscillation," Gillispie said. "With the Arctic Oscillation being so strong and persistent, its effects overwhelmed the El Niño and southeastern United States, which allowed a long period where Arctic air moved through the United States."
Many students are expecting the worst for the remaining months of winter, based on the patterns seen so far.
"I think this winter has been ridiculous so far," Miranda Carmon, junior business economics major, said. "I hated being snowed in over Christmas break for an entire week. And then when I finally did try to get out of my house after five days, I went into the ditch right away."
So what can be expected in the next couple of months?
"The average temperatures for February should end up being near normal to above normal for eastern South Dakota," Gillispie said. "For the early spring, March temperatures should again, with the northern branch of the jet stream plunging southward well into the southern, be normal to above normal, with normal to below normal temperatures in April.
"Precipitation is expected to be above normal for February and March and below normal in April."
"The overall weather patterns that we typically see with El Niño did not set up across the United States this year due to an overwhelming influence of the Arctic Oscillation," Gillispie said. "With the Arctic Oscillation being so strong and persistent, its effects overwhelmed the El Niño and southeastern United States, which allowed a long period where Arctic air moved through the United States."
Many students are expecting the worst for the remaining months of winter, based on the patterns seen so far.
"I think this winter has been ridiculous so far," Miranda Carmon, junior business economics major, said. "I hated being snowed in over Christmas break for an entire week. And then when I finally did try to get out of my house after five days, I went into the ditch right away."
So what can be expected in the next couple of months?
"The average temperatures for February should end up being near normal to above normal for eastern South Dakota," Gillispie said. "For the early spring, March temperatures should again, with the northern branch of the jet stream plunging southward well into the southern, be normal to above normal, with normal to below normal temperatures in April.
"Precipitation is expected to be above normal for February and March and below normal in April."
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