I just feel it...

[Greg]

Originally Posted by JimG.

Silly boys...every ski season is epic is some shape or form.

Indeed. Which is why I probably get pumped like this every fall, but you have to admit it. This year is different.



It's coming.


The MOTHER of all ski seasons is coming!!!!!!!!!!



Yaaaaaaa-hooooooooooo!

[Terry]

I have a feeling it is gonna be a good year! i CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ALLSKIING]

AccuWeather.com Issues Preliminary Winter Outlook
El Niño's Influence Points to Milder Start, Colder End Than Normal for Heating-Oil-Dependent Northeast

(State College, PA - September 19, 2006) - AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi predicts that the coming winter is shaping up to be quite different than last year's. The El Niño pattern that has noticeably impacted the 2006 hurricane season will lead to colder temperatures for the northeastern U.S. and Midwest, and a milder winter for the West Coast.

As outlined in Bastardi's preliminary seasonal outlook-the full 2006-2007 AccuWeather.com Winter Forecast will be released in mid-October-the winter in the Northeast and Midwest is expected to begin mild before turning significantly colder in January and February as cold air pours down from Canada. Overall, New York City and Boston are expected to average slightly below normal for the three-month winter period of December through February. The winter along the East Coast and Gulf Coast will be marked by stormy weather, because of the pattern created by the El Niño that formed this summer and was identified by Bastardi in the late spring.

El Niño and the East Coast Winter
An El Niño-a cyclical warming of Pacific Ocean waters-directs strong wind currents that tend to hinder hurricane development in the Atlantic Basin during the summer, and lead to a more active southern jet stream in the winter, which creates a wetter-than-normal pattern for the South and Southeast U.S. This precipitation works its way up the East Coast, bringing more storms to the region. "While the East Coast will most likely experience more precipitation, it is too early to tell whether the majority of this precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow," said Bastardi. "Timing will be the key in the major cities of the East Coast. Cold air from the north arriving too early or too late would lead to more rain and less snow."

Added Bastardi, "Given the overall pattern and the water temperature profile we expect, the region will likely see one or two major Nor'easters."

Winter's Effect on Energy Prices
"While temperatures in the Northeast will start out warmer than normal, a shift to colder weather during the final two months of winter will result in slightly below normal temperatures for the three-month period. This will lead to consumers needing more heating oil or natural gas than they did during last year's exceptionally mild winter," said AccuWeather.com Director of Forecast Operations Ken Reeves. "Chicago, which is dependent on natural gas heat, experienced relatively warm winters the past few years, and we expect this pattern to change this year. The last time we had an El Niño-the winter of 2002-2003-Chicago had to contend with slightly colder-than-average temperatures."

"That said," Added Reeves, "in most areas, we do not expect sustained exceptionally extreme temperatures, so energy prices will likely react more to economic and political conditions than to meteorological ones this winter."

Winter in the Rockies and the West Coast
As with previous El Niño years, a large high-pressure system will likely sit over the Rockies this winter, which will keep conditions relatively drier and warmer than normal. "Skiers and ski-slope operators in the Rockies may not be pleased by the prospect of less snow this winter," said Reeves. "Of potentially greater impact, though, will be the effects that a drier winter will have on areas in the region that rely on waters that come from the melting snow pack. With the possibility of less snow this winter, there could be less water available next year."

As for the West Coast, Bastardi forecasts that temperatures will be above average across much of the region.

AccuWeather.com's preliminary winter outlook is based upon expected jet stream patterns across North America and adjacent areas, combined with a weak El Niño.

The full AccuWeather.com 2006-2007 Winter Forecast will be released in mid-October.



To speak with a meteorologist about this story, call the AccuWeather.com 24/7 media line, (814) 235-8710.

About AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather, The World’s Weather Authority®, presents accurate, localized, branded forecasts and severe weather bulletins to over 106 million Americans each day via the Internet, mobile devices and IPTV, through the airwaves, and in print. AccuWeather delivers a portfolio of customized products and services to media, business, government, and institutions, and informs millions of visitors worldwide through the free AccuWeather.com website. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 20,000 third-party Internet sites, including CNN Interactive, ABC’s owned and operated stations, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Visit www.accuweather.com for more information.

[loafer89]

Accuweather is about as reliable as a roulette wheel and forecasted a snowy winter for 2005-2006.

I hope this year will be cold and snowy, but El Meano has me worried. Last season wasn't all that bad if you worked for it and had plenty of powder days.

Either way snowmaking will save the season nomatter what the snow gods deliver.

My money is on Killington doing a snowmaking test on friday night with mid 20's in the forecast at elevation.

[andyzee]

Screw the Farmers Almanac, screw Bastardi or whatever his name is, screw the caterpillars, and screw all the long range forcasts, One way or another this will be a banner year for me!

[awf170]

Originally Posted by ALLSKIING

AccuWeather.com Issues Preliminary Winter Outlook
El Niño's Influence Points to Milder Start, Colder End Than Normal for Heating-Oil-Dependent Northeast

(State College, PA - September 19, 2006) - AccuWeather.com Chief Long-Range Forecaster Joe Bastardi predicts that the coming winter is shaping up to be quite different than last year's. The El Niño pattern that has noticeably impacted the 2006 hurricane season will lead to colder temperatures for the northeastern U.S. and Midwest, and a milder winter for the West Coast.

As outlined in Bastardi's preliminary seasonal outlook-the full 2006-2007 AccuWeather.com Winter Forecast will be released in mid-October-the winter in the Northeast and Midwest is expected to begin mild before turning significantly colder in January and February as cold air pours down from Canada. Overall, New York City and Boston are expected to average slightly below normal for the three-month winter period of December through February. The winter along the East Coast and Gulf Coast will be marked by stormy weather, because of the pattern created by the El Niño that formed this summer and was identified by Bastardi in the late spring.

El Niño and the East Coast Winter
An El Niño-a cyclical warming of Pacific Ocean waters-directs strong wind currents that tend to hinder hurricane development in the Atlantic Basin during the summer, and lead to a more active southern jet stream in the winter, which creates a wetter-than-normal pattern for the South and Southeast U.S. This precipitation works its way up the East Coast, bringing more storms to the region. "While the East Coast will most likely experience more precipitation, it is too early to tell whether the majority of this precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow," said Bastardi. "Timing will be the key in the major cities of the East Coast. Cold air from the north arriving too early or too late would lead to more rain and less snow."

Added Bastardi, "Given the overall pattern and the water temperature profile we expect, the region will likely see one or two major Nor'easters."

Winter's Effect on Energy Prices
"While temperatures in the Northeast will start out warmer than normal, a shift to colder weather during the final two months of winter will result in slightly below normal temperatures for the three-month period. This will lead to consumers needing more heating oil or natural gas than they did during last year's exceptionally mild winter," said AccuWeather.com Director of Forecast Operations Ken Reeves. "Chicago, which is dependent on natural gas heat, experienced relatively warm winters the past few years, and we expect this pattern to change this year. The last time we had an El Niño-the winter of 2002-2003-Chicago had to contend with slightly colder-than-average temperatures."

"That said," Added Reeves, "in most areas, we do not expect sustained exceptionally extreme temperatures, so energy prices will likely react more to economic and political conditions than to meteorological ones this winter."

Winter in the Rockies and the West Coast
As with previous El Niño years, a large high-pressure system will likely sit over the Rockies this winter, which will keep conditions relatively drier and warmer than normal. "Skiers and ski-slope operators in the Rockies may not be pleased by the prospect of less snow this winter," said Reeves. "Of potentially greater impact, though, will be the effects that a drier winter will have on areas in the region that rely on waters that come from the melting snow pack. With the possibility of less snow this winter, there could be less water available next year."

As for the West Coast, Bastardi forecasts that temperatures will be above average across much of the region.

AccuWeather.com's preliminary winter outlook is based upon expected jet stream patterns across North America and adjacent areas, combined with a weak El Niño.

The full AccuWeather.com 2006-2007 Winter Forecast will be released in mid-October.



To speak with a meteorologist about this story, call the AccuWeather.com 24/7 media line, (814) 235-8710.

About AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather, The World’s Weather Authority®, presents accurate, localized, branded forecasts and severe weather bulletins to over 106 million Americans each day via the Internet, mobile devices and IPTV, through the airwaves, and in print. AccuWeather delivers a portfolio of customized products and services to media, business, government, and institutions, and informs millions of visitors worldwide through the free AccuWeather.com website. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 20,000 third-party Internet sites, including CNN Interactive, ABC’s owned and operated stations, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Visit www.accuweather.com for more information.

I've already said this, but IMO a warmer winter is probably better for northern mountains with a base over 2,000 ft. Cold winter = crappy southern storm tracks. I would say all I care about is the north, but I bought a Wawa pass.


It's all about consistency.

[YardSaleDad]

Originally Posted by dmc

Now - Woolly bear catepillers... Thats another story

Saw one on launch yesterday morning with a thick brown stripe

However the hawks were screeching like banshees, and I had my best flight ever!

[RISkier]

Originally Posted by Greg

....an epic ski season is on tap this year. Of course, I felt that last year too. And probably every other year. But whatever...

:

Can't say it any better than that. It's going to be an EPIC year. Now if we can just get the cool blue color on this forum back we'll know we're going in the right direction.

[TwinTips21]

1- the farmers almanac is historically accurate
2- the farmers almanac said below average precip average temps for new england. Whoever said its calling for above average snow and below average temperatures is completely wrong.
3- accu-crap is just that, bastardi is correct .000001% of the time

[ajl50]

All I know is that every time I'm skiing the season feels pretty epic and I forget about all the hours fretting over the conditions.