SnowBlog: Early October

Another snow prediction is on the way and there’s a lot that stands out this year. I have to figure out how this will play a role in the winter forecast.

First and foremost is the record dry weather from this summer. Some of us have continued the record dryness into the fall with Aberdeen (.01”), Pierre (trace), and Mobridge (.05”) all setting (or tying) for least amount of rain in September. Sioux Falls officially recorded 1.14” for September, but I know that much didn’t fall at my house.

Second is watching the Pacific waters. While they have been considered ‘neutral’ over the past several months, they are warming and models predict an El Nino episode to develop over the next month or two and last through at least February.

Thirdly, watch the trend that sets up this October. It has been shown that the trend in October and early November can indicate the weather pattern through the winter months.

I’ll continue to gather information over the next several days and will have the prediction out during the KELOLAND Live Doppler Winter Special on October 15 at 6:30pm.

In the meantime, cruise around the new site. “Scot’ Weather Corner…Predictions, Outlooks, and Best Guesses”. It will be a work in progress for awhile but I’ll give it my best shot. Thanks go out to Jody Staples at KELOLAND Television for the great looking site.

Here I plan to add daily forecast discussions (which will be very informal and raw), new charts and graphs, along with my updates on the snow prediction. I am also planning on expanding my prediction to include Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, and the Hills (Lead/Deadwood). Yes, I know I was WAY off last year (just doing Sioux Falls), but I always have people ask about other areas, so I figured I’ll give it a shot.