Dr.Mel,

I'm with your wife don't like to see too
much snow. I worry about the people to
have to shovel. I know it's winter and
there are people who love lots of snow.
Especially the snow plowers who make
money on the snow by the inches.........

I too do not like a lot of snow. Christmas Eve it is lovely, the rest of the winter can rain like cats and dogs. I am deathly afraid of ice and the warmth won't bother me a bit.

I agree, ice is the worst! That is the one thing I absolutely refuse to travel in. You don't stand a chance in it, even with four wheel drive.

Let's hope that no ice storms find us this winter!

"Can winter really be winter without those famous snowstorms?" In my youth, before I started driving, I would have answered an unequivocal "NO!" to that question, but not anymore. Now, any winter "...without those famous snowstorms" is just FINE with me, Dr. Mel. Arlene and I are in complete agreement. See, I can't afford to get my large driveway plowed out, so, when we get a heavy snowfall, I'm usually stuck in the house for two to three weeks until the snow melts enough for me to be able to get my car out of the driveway. It's terrible! So I say, the less snow, the better.

Linda,
If you were my neighbor I'd clear your driveway for you for free. I clear the neighbors driveway on both sides of me of snow every winter because they are unable to do it themselves. It's an extra hour for me but my neighbors appreciate it and it's worth it to me knowing they won't hurt themselves.

When I was a kid in school I would PRAY for snowdays to go out and play. Now I'm old and afraid of falling. I also hate driving in it. I'm used to driving in snow it is the other drivers in the SUV's doing 90 MPH that scare the smuckers jam out of me!

I have to admit, when I was a kid in elementary school & a winter storm would equal a day off, I would get pretty excited about it, too. My enthusiasm towards it started to fade once I got into high school, when I started hating snow days since it cut into my summer vacation. I wanted the time off when the weather was nice! My attitude towards winter went downhill from there. When I had to start traveling in it, I guess you can say that was the final nail in the coffin for my positive attitude towards winter. From that point forwards, I hated it with a passion.

I have not given up trying to convince my family we should make a move south. No luck so far, but I'll keep trying!

I have to say I agree with your wife, Mel. Keep the suck out to our west & up to our north where it belongs!

I wish we had an el nino every winter.

Yes, winter can be winter without big storms. Like I've said before, anyone who prays for them either don't work, live walking distance from work, have a job that is totally 100% guaranteed to shut down in bad weather (who in that position wouldn't, unless you don't get paid), or are smoking the funny stuff.

well i do work full time and go to school full time and dotn live anywhere near walking distance to both of those and i dont smoke. BUT I LOVE SNOW!

All three NWS stations in the Tri-State area (Bridgeport, Hartford, and Central Park)…actually were only were around 1.5 to 1 .6 F below normal in October. Now the building warmth has blow the doors off… with all three stations running 2 to3 F ABOVE NORMAL - with no sign of slowing down. Although much has been made out of the meaning of cooler than normal Octobers as an indication of what winter will bring …the fact is that the mean monthly November temp is what is most important - it gives us an indication of what the pattern will be in the main part of the 90 day cool season.

With the current El Nino building …it will be even more of a battle to keep cold air over us. Even the storm track seems to be going in a positive direction this year with most systems generally heading toward the eastern Great Lakes then up into Canada. The few coastal lows that normally develop off the Atlantic Coast in winter…will be even weaker this winter because of the lack of really cold air moving out over the subtropical Atlantic (less contrast in air masses). Finally, never discount latitude and prevailing climate. The Tri-State area is truly on the cusp of the zone that separates the warm climates (subtropical Atlantic States) to the south and the cooler climates to the north (Northern New England, Canada). Even in the best years…the Tri-State area needs to fight hard to get the moisture and cold air close enough for it to snow. This year the battle looks to be even greater.

For snow fans south of Boston on the East Coast…it looks like another year where all the fun is going to be in the Great Lakes and the Mountain West (lol). On the plus side...the snow birds traveling down I-95 will change into the shorts at a rest stop in South Carolina... instead of North Florida this winter (lol).

Hello Si,

Thanks as always for your input. Guess that means I better make sure I pack the shorts for my Myrtle Beach trip this Winter! :)

I say wait until Dec.20th to cast any spells,
March can march to a long snowy drum.
Winter is long enough.
Refreshing fall days are nice.
Every season can make it`s own statement.
They don`t have to over lap for me.
~Peace Glenna~

I think we should do fine in CT this coming winter. "IF" we have a normal winter in CT, it is normally on the mild side. The snow seems to always want to fly just to our north and west.

Dr. Mel,
I am with you! The snow has always been one of my favorite things. I don't ike ice storms, I always hope for everyone to be safe, but there is nothing like a good blizzard!!!!! No winter can't be winter when all you get is gray rain or slushy gunk. This is New England, where the weather changes on a wink and a good snowstorm should have it's turn!!!

Matt, I'm surprised you have not commented, yet, but I'm sure you will. Have you noticed how our 'friends' seem to have nothing to say about this? They're probably still wiping tears from their eyes & trying to comfort each other! LOL!!!!!!!

Hey, Linda, let me guess, you don't work and can just sit at home & watch the suck through the window when it happens. Why don't you try traveling in it & then we'll see how much you like it.

Well, I DO travel in it and I DO work in it, and I still love it. We live in New England - IT IS SUPPOSED TO SNOW!

To BW,

Thanks, you're a good egg! Too bad we're not neighbors because I'd surely appreciate the plowouts, then I wouldn't mind the occasional old-fashioned New England winter nor'easter!

Linda...

BTW...Connecticut is not New England...it's part of the Tri-State area. Our winters are supposed to be milder than New Englands...with fewer snowstorms.

Connecticut is New England.

Sorry, not one to not post a source.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England

God told me there be some serious snow storms this winter. Bad ones.

HAHAHAHAHA SHoreliner

Just sittin back reading yours and Si posts on how winter is already over before it even begins. You know what they say about counting your chickens before they hatch. True it has been mild recently but it's not that atypical of Nov. Everything evens out. I'm not saying this winter is going to be full of extreme cold but there has been a lot of coastal activity with most of the tracks centered over or just southeast of the benchmark. Even with modest cold air in the winter those can deliver good snows to Connecticut which is part of New England by the way. So we'll see how this plays out.

I think we will get a little snow in CT this winter but our winter's are pretty tame in general. Most of the snow should state in the interior of PA, Upstate NY...and New England (MA north).
NYC/LI/CT will only see light snows.

Brian:

I certainly agree that winter has not even started and one can’t be say for sure how any part of the weather calendar will play out. This is why I like to break down the season in 4 to 6 week increments. Having said that…all the signs are there that at least the first month (December) of the three months of meteorological winter will likely be mild for most in the Eastern USA south of the Great Lakes and below Boston. Here are the reasons I think this:

First…even though there is a shot at a modest trough developing in the eastern USA next week (the first chance at an even seasonable cool air mass)…it will only bring down moderately cool air from up in Canada. A quick look at GFS ensembles and the temperature forecasts for next week - show the damage is done already in southern Canada…no snow cover to keep southward moving air masses even moderately cold as they drop down into the USA. So while there will be a modest pattern change next week, the cool air that comes down into the upper Midwest/Northern Plains will really not be too cold at all. Remember, that air mass has to come south and east toward the East Coast…and by the time it will be a pretty pathetic cold for the end of November. So the cool air that is in Western Canada really falls apart by the time it gets here late next week. I really don’t think we are seeing any pattern change that is locking into place at all. Here is a good view.

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/ENSTDEP2_0z/tloop.html

So until we do s…it will still stay semi-warm for much of early/mid December. Highs across the Tri-State should be 45 to 50 F with nights barely making it below freezing. Even “if” the arctic oscillation swings into a mode more favorable for the delivery of cold air…that will really only help Canada to play catch-up during much of December. Also, the mild run of weather as not only helped keep Atlantic Ocean temps in the 55/56 F range (13/14 C) off Long Island/NJ…but there has been a lack of typically strong November cold fronts that would typically help in pushing the Gulf Stream out toward mid ocean. The result is that the Gulf Stream has a good sized extension of 65 to 70 F (18/20 C) water sitting right at the 40/70 area…less that 100-miles off the Long Island/Connecticut coast. Here is a good view.

http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/data/sst/contour/natlanti.fc.gif

So I would be very surprised to see snowfall much before late December within 50-miles off any of the Atlantic States south of Massachusetts. Even if snow ever manages to fall in much of December…it will surly vaporize the first time there is a southerly wind (lol). Snow in December should mostly be in the highlands from West Virginia through Pennsylvania and northern New England. Judging by the recent storm track heading into the eastern Great Lakes …I think that southerly wind will once again be a source of much sorrow for snow fans in the Atlantic States south of Massachusetts this winter.

Brian,

I certainly agree with you.I think we will get our share of snowstorms even with an el nino

I do not think this el nino will get any stronger than it is now and it will fade fast later in the winter.I think December will be mild with very little snow but February and March we will get clobbered with above average snow as the el nino fades.I think total snowfall will be just a little less than last year but still slightly above normal. I think we will get a Larger snowstorm than last year

I know the climate has been cooling since 2002. Satellites confirm this.
Look at this past summer, One of the coolest on record.This past October was the third coolest for the last 113 years.I think this winter will be interesting, you never know, Look at the winter of 2005-2006. On February 12 2006 Central Park in Manhattan New York received 26.9 inches of snow during the record snowstorm an many areas of western ct received 22-28 inches of snow.

I think we are too dominated by coastal connecticut posters who live in the banana belt , in many case by choice. I just would like to quote Dr Mels Latest book , Dr Mels Connecticut climate book.He states in the book . If you are within site of the sound your average annual snowfall is barely 20 inches a year. If you are inland a bit your average annual snowfall is closer to 40 inches.I know how dense the population is in coastal connecticut, I will bet that many of the posters live near the coast and do not like snow and see there snowcover only last a few days at a time because of the milder temperatures of coastal regions. This climate feature of the coastal lowlands is clearly stated in the climate narrative of the state of connecticut which poster can find under the national climatic data centers website, the climate of the state. It states that a snow cover will not last more than a few days in coastal ct unless a snowfall is proceeded by prolonged cold temperatures. It also states that in the greater portion of the state of connecticut which would be anywhere north of the merritt and wilbur cross parkway including towns like Monroe Bethany and Wallingford.a measurable snowfall is present most of the time from late December to early March. That has been my experiece as i live at a 500ft elevation only 1 mile from the town of Monroe in Northern Shelton. I know that is your experiece Brian In Central Rhode Island. That is why the national weather service has a map called Climate Division with lines seperating the different climate divisions.In Connecticut we have three zones 1. coastal which runs form the shore to about 7 miles inland in western connecticut and about 12 miles inland in eastern connecticut most of the rest of the state is in zone 2 inland all of the rest of eastern connecticut , greater Hartford and northern Fairfield county conecticut including Monroe , Bethany and Wallingford. Zone 3 Includes all of litchfield county including the towns of Woodbury and Litchfield, this is a true New England climate.

Even plant hardiness zone Maps state this. If you go inland in Connecticut just 10 miles you shift 1 zone . I also agree with you Brian that most of Connecticut does have a New England Climate outside of the coastal zone. I will cite an example .Both Boston Logan and Danbury Ct receive 41 inches of snow a year. Danbury Ct at an elevation of only 400ft actually has a more severe clmate than boston logan with lower winter minimum temperatures and the snow that falls lays on the gound about 7 days longer per year than Boston.I never heard anyone say that Boston does not have a New England climate.

I hope i have shed some light on the climate issue. I feel that only myself and Brian from central Rhode Islsnd in West Warwick understand these climate vagaries because we experiece it first hand

I encourage some people who read this post who live in Danbury , Waterbury and Hartford to comment on there climate so that we get a more Balanced representation. I also would like to get someone from Norfolk Ct the snowiest area of the state to commment

Mj Visitor

Si Visitor,

I agree with many aspects of your posts. They are based on sound meterological and climatological knowledge which you clearly obtained from your extensive studies over the years. I do agree that a cold November is more important for a cold snowy winter than a cold OCt.I also agree that snowcover in Canada is an important factor to refrigerate the cold air masses and the gulf streams location is clearly a factor. I know this ALL effects the all important snow tract.

Where i dont agree with you is your confidence that the el nino will continue throughout the entire winter season. I am a believer in the global cooling we have been experiencing since 2002 as measured by sattelites and surface observations too a lesser extent.I am in the Joe Diullios camp , his website in icecap. He feels that the Pacific Decadal Ocillaton has shifted to a cold mode recently and he feels el ninos will be weaker and of shorter duration than in recent years . We will have more neutral conditions and la ninas in the years going forward. I think the climate is going to shift to the colder conditions which we had in the 1960's and 1970's with colder winters and greater average annual snowfall on average.

I also dont agree with you on your total reliance on official National Weather Service Data for 2 stations.New YOrk Central Park and Bridgeport.

I think because you live in Southeast Ct and your inland areas are at mostly low elevations , even at 20 miles inland.You do not see the effect of elevation in Western Ct . We have elevations in the town of Monroe , Only 8 miles from Long Island sound that approach 700 ft . IN eastern conecticut you can go inland almost to Massachusetts , 50 miles inland before you get elevations that high.

I do feel what you say applies to southeast connecticut and long island ,but not in other areas.I have seen you forecast quite accurately for coastal connecticut and long island.I feel that if you are Near or south of interstate 95 your forecast methodology is correct. If you live 10 miles inland, especially in western connecticut your methods dont apply

I think you should be the chief weather forecaster on Long Island New YOrk. I feel for that area you would do better than the pro's

Honestly, it would NOT bother me if I NEVER saw another snow flake in my life!!!

A few points here, First I'm glad today is unusually mild with temps in the mid 60's because my furnace is broken. So I guess thats a good thing lol. Looking at all the opinions and information on this upcoming winter I think our area won't see any prolonged period of cold or warmth. By Prolonged I mean 2 weeks or more. But I think there is going to be a lot of potential for coastal development. So we could very well be in for some wild storms that will probably brings lots of snow and or rain storms.

Brian,

I agree with your take on the coming winter.It is very consistant with a fading el nino. I believe winter is going to be late but memorable. I think Febraury and March will be our big snow months this year unlike last year with the very snowy December.

From what i know about the regions climatology , the largest snowstorms occur in early to mid February. That is because of the greater temperature contrast at that time of the year. The southern united states is rapidly warming in February while Southern New England temperatures are at their nadir because of the cold atlantic waters.

This sets up extreme cyclogenesis, the massive Noreasters that occur at that time of year. The coastal storms are literally bombs. This is also called Bombogenesis.

If you look at Ct and Ri climatology.Eight of the ten largest snowstorms occured in the Feb 1 - Feb 20 time frame.This includes the Hallmark southern new england blizzard, the blizzard of 1978 occuring on Feb 7 1978.How i would love to see something like that again

Brian, Please comment me back on your oppinions on the last three post i submitted

Thanks, MJ Visitor

LOL @ Brian & MJ!!!!!!

You two are beyond funny! Seriously, it's Connecticut, not Wisconsin! You two seriously need to consider a move North or west, because you're living in the wrong state.

I for one am hoping Si's prediction for an easy winter comes true.

River Man

I never said this was Wisconin, However They have been much above average to this November. They are also 100 or miles farther North latitude than Ct is. Roughly the Same as Burlington VT. So with that said they should be colder. El Nino will affect them more so than us here in the Northeast. But You guys keep saying how easy our winters our so why predict an easy winter, Apparently they all are right.


MJ, I agree our biggest storms may come late this year, but it's hard there is always variables. in terms of cold high pressure to our north and storm track. I think we will see several potent snow storms,but there will be the usual inside runners and mixed precip events. I also agree most of the negative winter posters on here live fairly close to the immediate shoreline, Seasonal snowfall totals double when u move 10 miles or so inland. Shoreline communities average 20 -25 inches while areas of Central Ct and my area of Central R.I average about 35-45 inches. While areas of NW CT and the hilly terrain of NW R.I 600-1000ft average 50 -60+ inches of snow. It may only take one potent noreaster to reach half those totals. So we'll see how it unfolds.

MJ/Brian:
You make some very good points and I can see how much you love the fleeting winter season. However, let me just mention a few things. I only mention these things because after half a century of weather watching, teaching and researching climate…I know how quick the overall character of a regions climate can be lost. So again I say this just to teach…

1)Seasonal Snowfall:

The comment that “seasonal snowfall totals double when you move 10 miles inland” is for the most part untrue. I know we have battled this point back and forth several times. But I think the two main long term NWS stations (Bradley/Stratford)…have the longest stretch of accurate records. Bradley (extream northern CT) averages 44.5 inches a year…while Stratford (coastal CT) averages 24.5 inches a year. Most of the state of Connecticut receives more than 25 inches a year and less than 40 inches a year. There are only two exceptions to this. The far NW Hills (1500-2000 ft) which receives 50 to 60 inches a year…and coastal New London County which receives 20 to 25 inches a year. Also, keep in mind, that of all the meteorological data collected…seasonal snowfall has been (and remains) the hardest to collect with great accuracy. Blowing of snow, terrian changes, solar angles…etc all play a role in the measurement of seasonal snow totals. The best example of this is the Great 1888 Blizzard in NYC/New Haven. Snow fall totals of 40 inches of snow in NYC/New Haven…while places just to the west or east had 6 inches of snow. The fact that there was 75-mph winds during this storm may have had something to do with the odd pattern of snow totals (lol).

2)Extremes.

The snow fans (especially the ones on TV-lol) seem unable to grasp the concept of meteorological extremes…vs…long term empirical observations. The constant references to the Blizzard of 1978, the 1995/1996 snow season,etc were “meteorological extremes”. A good example of this - the 1954/1955 tropical cyclone seasons: Five (5) tropical cyclones directly affected the Atlantic States from Maryland to Massachusetts (including two major hurricanes). In those two years…places on Long Island, cities like New London, CT, and Newport, RI had more hurricane/tropical storm conditions, death, and damages… than anywhere in the Caribbean, Western Pacific, or Indian Ocean. Should we conclude that the tropical cyclone risk is greater in southern Connecticut/Long Island than in Kingston, Jamaica or Saipan? No. The fact is that once in a great while…weather patterns put together the rare meteorological event. This concept seems truly lost on media outlets like the Weather Channel and AccuWeather. Heavy snowfalls and extreme long lasting cold...are a climatic rarity in the Atlantic states from Rhode Island southward. Empirical long term data proves that fact. I think it’s quite sad ( and disingenuous)… that the general public has been hoodwinked by the powers that be in media and marketing.



3)El –Nino

Now as far as the current season, El –Nino, and the averages…keep in mind, the strength of an El-Nino often builds and fades several times in a season. Additionally, despite the hopes of the winter fan, the damage that El-Nino inflicts on Eastern USA winters… is created very early (often in October/November). The lack of snow cover, warmer than normal Atlantic Ocean temps, warmer than normal ground temps…etc all do the damage early. For most locations south of 42 latitude in the USA…it matters little what El-Nino decides to do much after late January…as the solar angle is now quickly increasing. From around 40/42 latitude in the Eastern USA…we have a window of about 60 days from December 1st to January 30th or so to get the ground/ocean cold enough to support snow and snow cover that lasts. It already looks like about 50% of that (based on models in the next 4 weeks or so) has been compromised.

Cold Highs to our north will be weak and short lived. It’s going to take a heck of a cold January to change things for February. Again, I don’t say it’s impossible for the pattern to do a 180…I just don’t see anything like that setting up any time soon.

Here are the current November monthly mean temps at the three area NWS Stations.

NWS- Central Park – 52 F (+3.0 F) Still no freeze at Central Park
NWS – Bridgeport – 49.4 F (+2.7 F).
NWS – Bradley – 46.8 F (+3.2 F).

Wait until Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are averaged in…and those + numbers grow even more. I can see the red faces of the Channel 8 Weathercasters already…(lol).

Hello, Si!

Thanks as always for your input. I've said it before & I'll say it again, you would make a terrific weather forecaster for channel 8. We certainly would not have to worry about the 'weather show' that we have now, you would tell it like it is.

I am loving the weather today! I never dreamed I would have a window open in late November! LOL!!!!!!! I so wish it would stay like this all Winter. I'm sure the snow fans would be bah humbugging, but think of all the money that would be saved on heating fuel, not to mention having wrecked vehicles fixed from accidents that are almost guaranteed to happen when there's winter weather. Every time there's a storm, there are accidents, which is another reason I don't understand all these people who love snow. Yeah, let's sing the praises to weather that risks sending us crashing into a tree, utility pole, or another vehicle. Makes perfect sense to me! That's why I feel that all these people who love it so much don't have to travel in it, travel short distances, have a job that shuts down in bad weather, or are smoking the wacky weed!

Let us hope for an easy winter, Si. We so deserve it after last winter.

Dr. Mel,
Please no snow yet! my 4x4's not done yet! I'm still waiting on my dad.;0) I love snow but not when I don't have 4x4 I like the fact I have that extra Assist. I can't drive on dry pavement let alone snow covered but once I have my truck back.....Bring on the snow!

Working in municipal government, I can tell you that there'd be no better year for a mild winter than this year! Due to the economy we're very concerned about State aid, and a lot of revenues such as building permits and filing fees are seriously down, so the cities and towns may be extremely cash-strapped as it is. A bad winter would really decimate any financial buffers towns have in place, so next year you'd be bound to see either major tax increases or major cuts in services (or most likely both). So for the sake of Connecticut's taxpayers, I'm praying for a very mild winter!

I think we'll be fine. It looks like it might cool a bit in the coiming days but snow will be hard to find this winter. My grass is still soild green. I have to cut it again this week. That tells me winter will be very short this year.

Matt,

Are u serious, Your grass needs cutting? Are u still picking tomatos to? Different microclimates I guess.

Hey there, Matt!

I'd figure you'd comment sooner or later! Yep, our grass is still pretty green as well. I hope you're right & that means a short (or better yet non-existant) winter. The cold & suck can stay up in Canada where it belongs.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, & be safe if you're doing any traveling.

Shoreliner…

Thanks for the complements. I just give you the last update until the 1st of December next week. Things really seem to be going your way.

The very latest data seems to be saying with increasing confidence that the El Nino this winter will be of moderate strength, instead of weak as first thought. This is in line with what NOAA said back in summer 2009. This would suggest a slightly drier and milder winter over eastern Canada…and a warm and wet winter down in the eastern USA. Most places from around 40 latitude southward into the American subtropics will have a hard time hanging on to any truly arctic air masses in December it seems. The coastal low that comes toward the Tri-State area this Friday will lead to rain showers in the Atlantic States with just a little wet snow in the Appliachians in PA/NY and up into Northern New England. There will be some lake effect snow Thursday into Friday, even though the air really won't be arctic in nature. This will be the first time that there has been meaningful snow event in the Great Lakes so far this cold season. To the south/east, from the Tri-State region/Middle Atlantic States, south and east…the longer range forecast suggests this cold air that comes through this weekend will be short lived…meaning the developing trough will come and go. After that, it will moderate once again across the southern Plains than the warmth will fan east toward the East Coast in modified form. It will not be 60 F in the Tri-State area the first week of December…temps should be closer to normal, which is still around 47 to 50 F for highs.

The second week of December looks to have little change. The upper level trough will set up in the central USA, due to some blocking downstream WEST of Greenland. So forget any big storms along the East Coast…most storms will track through the Great Lakes, keeping any snow associated with them up in the Upper Midwest and Northern Great Lakes. It looks like most of early Decembers cold will be centered over the Rockies and Plains, not the Eastern USA. The eastern USA south of around 45 latitude will be normal to slightly mild. Life looks good for us in the lowlands of the East Coast. For the early season snowbirds headed to the subtropical Gulf/South Atlantic States - temps look to be in the upper 60’s to low 70’s…with 75 to 80 F on the Florida Peninsula.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Hello, Si!

Thanks as always for your input! Sounds good to me! Warm & wet beats cold & white. :)

Have a happy Thanksgiving. Be safe if you're doing any traveling.

Si,

This is from accuweather.com. Extended range forecast. Now granted its 15 days out and is subject to change, But so is your forecast.

West Warwick, RI 15-Day Forecast
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Metric | English
WeatherAlarm™!
Heavy rain occurring on Nov 25 | Nov 26 | Nov 27. Total amount 0.68 Inches.AccuWeather.com Forecast: 15-Day OverviewDays 1-5 Days 6-10 Days 11-15 Weekends All 15 Days Wednesday, Nov 25More Details/AccuPop™ Mostly cloudyLow: 42 °FHigh: 53 °FThursday, Nov 26More Details Mostly cloudyLow: 41 °FHigh: 57 °FFriday, Nov 27More Details Windy and colder with rainLow: 36 °FHigh: 49 °FSaturday, Nov 28More Details Partly sunny, windy and coolLow: 33 °FHigh: 51 °FSunday, Nov 29More Details Mostly sunny and breezyLow: 35 °FHigh: 52 °FMonday, Nov 30More Details Periods of sunLow: 37 °FHigh: 54 °FTuesday, Dec 1More Details Cloudy with rain possibleLow: 35 °FHigh: 49 °FWednesday, Dec 2More Details Mostly cloudyLow: 34 °FHigh: 49 °FThursday, Dec 3More Details Mostly cloudy and windyLow: 27 °FHigh: 43 °FFriday, Dec 4More Details Times of clouds and sunLow: 22 °FHigh: 37 °FSaturday, Dec 5More Details Cold with partial sunshineLow: 20 °FHigh: 34 °FSunday, Dec 6More Details Cold with partial sunshineLow: 19 °FHigh: 33 °FMonday, Dec 7More Details Windy with clouds and sunLow: 19 °FHigh: 33 °FTuesday, Dec 8More Details Partly sunny, windy and coldLow: 21 °FHigh: 32 °FWednesday, Dec 9More Details Sleet and freezing rain; coldLow: 24 °FHigh: 33 °FDays 1-5 Days 6-10 Days 11-15 Weekends All 15 Days 15-Day Forecast Temperature Graph
Legend:
Forecast High Temperature
Real Feel™ High Forecast Low Temperature
Real Feel™ Low
8-DecDays4-Dec2-Dec30-Nov28-Nov26-Nov80 Temp. 40 20 0 -20 TemperatureTell us what you think | Send to a Friend | Add to Favorites | Set as Home Page

You and your wife personify good and bad weather accordingly? It is original. If mood remarkable also weather at coast is adjusted. Gods of weather.

I awoke this morning went outside and it was sunny and almost 70 F here Wallingford! This is my first winter in Connecticut, I know it's warmer here in winter than places up north...but this feels like I'm in Savannah,GA!

Shoreliner:

We are almost a week into meterological winter and the time is flying by. Here is my update from December 5th to December 15th:

Today the typical rush of balmy subtropical air on the right side of departing low pressure will rush up the East Coast…most locations from Richmond, VA to Providence, RI will see high temperatures of 60 to 70 F…not bad considering the winter solstice is only 18 days away from starting the sun back on its journey into the Northern Hemisphere. Today will be another one of those days in meteorological winter… when residents of the Tri-State/Mid Atlantic are reminded how close the humid subtropics truly are. Humid windy, warm weather will be the rule on the lowlands of the Atlantic States today.

Going into this weekend…thanks to the stubborn subtropical ridge over Hispaniola…the upper low over the northern Great Lakes really makes little progress toward the East Coast…so the coldest air never gets to the far eastern USA/East Coast. So while it will turn cooer along the East Coast…most of the coldest air will only slowly bleed over the Appalachian Mountains Friday into Saturday. The low that will come out of the southern Plains will pass in/near North Florida by late Friday and be rather weak. The weak nature of the low will mean even less of a chance of a left bending storm that could throw Atlantic moisture up and over any cold air trying to hand on over the lowlands of the East Coast. Ground temps as well as Atlantic Ocean temps are still in the 55 F range…so whatever light precip falls will be a wet mix, and will vaporize on ground contact. So I think this weekend’s low will have little if any impact on the Tri-State region. The best chances for a few quick inches of snow will be over the 1500 to 3000 foot elevations from North Carolina high country to the Appalachians in Pennsylvania. For the I-95 corridor it looks to be just cloudy and damp on Saturday/Saturday night.

The second week of December looks to remain slightly above normal in the Eastern USA. Daily highs should be in the 45 F range, lows around 30 F. So big storms next week… it looks to be dry and seasonable.

Finally…a climatic note: Once again, this year (2009)… was a year in which parts of the Tri-State area (NY/CT/NJ) will be include in the subtropical climate zone. As you know… the Koppen climate classification considers any location that has 8 or more months of a mean temperature of 50 F (or higher) as subtropical. In most years, the subtropical climate zone line ends along the Eastern Seaboard around Virginia Beach, VA. The zone from Salisbury, MD to the coastal cities of Connecticut is normally the transition zone from Humid Subtropical (Cf) to Temperate Continental (Dca). This year once again, (thanks to a warm November)…area NWS stations like JFK, Central Park, NY, Newark, NJ, and Trenton, NJ had 8 months (April – through November) with a monthly mean tempreture of 50 F or higher - meaning they were in the subtropical zone. NWS Bridgeport, CT missed the subtropical classification by 1.1 F in November!

So in a year that was touted as having a “record cool summer”…parts of the Tri-State actually fell into the “Subtropics”. This more than anything… shows us how fleeting winter can be in any "one year" in the Tri-State area.

Hello, Si,

I was loving the warmth today! Sure the day got off to a rocky start, but it sure did turn nice! I am very thankful that it was rain & not the other.

Thanks as always for your input, and have a nice night. :)

Shoreliner:
Since I can see AccuWeather is in full hype mode… I just thought I would offer the reality of the “storm” on Saturday if anyone is looking for it:

A weak low will track up… then off the Atlantic Coast spreading mostly rain from I-95 east toward the Atlantic…while a mix of rain and wet snow will spread across the higher elevations of the Applicahains (mostly in VA/WVA/PA). Most of the cold air is still west of the Appalachians. Everyone from Rhode Island south should be protected from any meaningful snow as the Atlantic is way too warm…and the ground is still much too warm to let snow stick. I would think most locations in Connecticut will see a slushy inch or rain/snow mix. Accumulations should be 0 to 1 inch…although the money is on mostly zero accumulations. A few isolated areas in NW Connecticut and the Hudson Valley may see 2 to 3 inches only because the colder air is lesser influenced by the warm Atlantic. The sun will come back out by Sunday with highs around 45 F.

Although it looks like next week a big snowstorm (maybe) might be headed for the Great Lakes (Chicago…etc) the East Coast will still be on the warm side of the pattern. So look for some rain in the middle of next week and then seasonable temps with highs around 45 F across the Tri-State. After that…it looks like a good zonal flow becomes established across the USA…so little real cold will make it south and to the East Coast. Mild subtropical Pacific air will continue to get into the act… so no real cold in the far eastern USA/little if any snow for the near term. Most of the cold in mid December looks centered on the West and Rockies up into Canada.

Get ready however…for the season of great hype is once again upon us…

Accuweather.com is horrible! They always hype up the weather. That's why I rely on weather.com & noaa.gov if I need to know what the weather is going to be. They tell it like it is without the hype.

But, like Matt (not Matt Scott, another Matt on the boards) said, the 'Connecticut Weather Show' is pretty amusing! It's better than Fox TV! And I don't mean Geoff Fox.

Well, Si, looks like your prediction is going to come true! I was just looking at the map on the front of the page, and they've downplayed it quite a bit. My area looks to get mostly (probably will end up being totally) rain. I am keeping my fingers crossed! I am hoping that this storm, just like the entire winter season, will be a bust.

Shorleiner…

Most locations across Connecticut recorded only a trace (T) of wet snow…as did most stations around the Tri-State including NYC (Central Park), Bridgeport, JFK, Newark, Trenton..etc. A few high elevations up in extreme northern CT (up near the Mass line)…managed to get a wet 1-2 inches according to some reports, mostly on grassy surfaces. NWS Bradley reported just 1 inch of snow. As of this morning…about 98% of Connecticut has a trace or zero snow on the ground (mostly zero). A good site to see what snow has fallen in all corners of the state is the live traffic cam site. It shows most of Connecticut received zero accumulation of snow: http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2354&Q=290242&dotNav=I

As far as what lies ahead for the next week…sunshine and seasonable temps in the lower 40’s will be the rule much of the week. By Wednesday or so… it looks like a major snowstorm will hit the Midwest (Chicago, Milwaukee, Great Lakes?…etc) with up to 1 foot of snow possible. The East Coast will see another push of warm air and rainfall as this storm passes far to our north and west. After that, another dry and moderate period of weather will bring us to December 15th or so. So the weather so far in the first part of meteorological winter seems on cruise control for a while.

So relax…with help from the warm subtropical Atlantic…a normal storm track through the Great Lakes…and a old fashioned East Coast southerly subtropical flow ahead of most storms - it looks like residents in the Atlantic States will once again watch their countryman in the West deal with real winter.

Well, you were right again, Si! It changed over in my area at the tail end of the storm last night, but the ground was too warm & too wet to allow for any accumulation. Did I ever say how much I love living on the shoreline! It's definitely the place to be if you're a Connecticut snow hater! :)

I saw that there's a big storm brewing for next week. That's good that warm air will race in ahead of it, otherwise we'd probably be in trouble like Chicago.

Thanks as always, Si. Have a nice day.

Si,


Hi Si , i want to commend you on your shoreline forecast. I live about 8 miles inland going by a straight line , not mileage in Northern Shelton Ct. I received 1.6 inches of snow measured on a snowboard in the middle of my yard at an elevation of nearly 500 feet. I drove to a higher elevation in the middle of Monroe Ct Elev 650 ft and measured the snow on a picknick table in the middle of the green 2.7 inches fell there.

YOu are mostly right , but there are exceptions

Thanks, please comment MJ Visitor

Shoreliner:

I think you really have to be wary of the “winter show” at Channel 8. Gil and Mel constantly super hype the tiniest snow into a Midwest Blizzard. Take today…I just heard Gil say that parts of Connecticut got 3 to 6 inches of snow on Saturday. I drove around Sunday Morning doing deliveries along the I-91 corridor – the ground had a trace of snow or was bare from New Haven to north of Hartford. 3- 6 inches where? Totally false, 99% of the state saw nothing or less than 1 inch. NWS Hartford reported 1 inch (in extreme north CT) Bridgeport reported a trace. It steams the winter biased weathercasters on Channel 8 so bad that all the snow is always out West or up to our north (New England/Great Lakes). You could just see the anger on Gils face when he said the storm this coming Wednesday will turn to rain.

Like my mother always says…what would winter in Connecticut be without the Channel 8 “weather show”

Matt Visitor, Shoreliner


Gill is right. There was 3-6 inches of snow in many parts of Connecticut.

The snow was very elevation driven because of the marginal temperatures

Matt , i know that you received very little snow on your New Haven to Hartford delivery run. That is because you were in the valley going up interstate 91 . All of those cities are naer sea level, Middletown El 50 , Hartford El 50.


Elevation is the key factor as it is in most early winter and early spring snowstorms. I live in Northern Shelton Ct at an elevation of nearly 500 ft only 8 miles from Long Island Sound. I have a white painted snowboard in the middle of my yard which is an official way of measuring snow. It is a piece of plywood measured white.

I measured 1.6 inches of snow for the storm total on Saturday Dec 5 2009

I was curious if a higher elevation would even mean more snow . I drove 3 miles further inland to neighboring Monroe Ct at an elevation of 650 ft. still only 10 miles from the shore. I measurd almost 3 inches on a picknick table near the monroe green 2.7 inches to be exact.

I also went under the national weather services web site and they confirmed even higher snowfall totals further inland in western ct 4 inches in newtown Ct.


Gill was right. 3-6 inches of snow fell in many places.I know you are aware that the average elevation in Connecticut is 500 feet, not the sea level excusion that you went on Sunday.Please give our weather experts the respect they deserve/


MJ visitor

Gill Is right to a certain extent, I think 6 inches may have been a stretch. but numerous areas in the NW and NE sections of CT has 3-5 inches anyway. I had 2 inches of snow at my location of central R.I at an elevation of 300ft. Several areas to my NW at elevations of 500ft and up had 4-5 inches. Now keep in mind the ground was warm so it tended to melt once the precip ended even at 32 degrees. Even today I still have several large patches of snow cover. It wasn't by any means a blizzard but it was more than the shoreline communities trace to less than an inch.

BTW, THe NWS at Bradley airport is barely 100ft in elevation. Also airports tend to be a bit warmer and record lower snowfall amounts than surrounding areas

I grew up in Buffalo, NY...you guys down in CT are pretty funny geting all worked up over 1 inch of snow. I think it's so funny how they hype a dusting of snow here (lol).

Brian,


It was great seeing the first general snowfall of the season . I know we had some snow on Oct15


I know we were cheated out of general 5 inch snowfall because of the near record warm November.


I do agree with SI to a certain extent. The warm ground and the above average water temperatures of Long Island sound pretty much made this an elevation driven snowstorm.

If there was a colder than average NOvember this year this would have been a major snowstorm for most of Connecticut. except the immediate Shoreline. You would have seen 5 inch totals in Meriden , Hartford and Waterbury even at the low elevations.

Along the shoreline from Bridgeport - New Haven to New London it still would have mixed with rain but 2-3 inches would have fallen, not the trace to one half inch that fell on the shoreline.

The Climate narrative for the shoreline states that heavy snow is rare before late December in the immediate coastal zone.That is understandable given the 50 degree water temperatures.

I am excited about the coming season. I wish it was a little colder going into the season .I feel the pattern needs to change now if we are going to get a cold snowy season. I know from experience that December needs to come in with near normal temperatures if we are going to get alot of snow.

I can understand some of the posters saying that Saturdays storm was a bust. A real storm gives all areas even sea level locations a lot of snow.

Again the shoreline is another story.It was strange i took a ride with my brother on Saturday night, just before the storm ended. I went from 3 inches of pristine beautifull snow in Monroe Ct at an elevation of 650 ft and we rode down to the shoreline only 10 miles to no snow and a driving rain.

Mj visitor

You're right, Matt. It is pretty amusing. My area looks to be all rain on Tuesday night into Wednesday. The suck will be up North it looks like. Good place for it!

Like I've said before, that's why I always rely on weather.com & noaa.gov when I need to know what the weather is going to be. There's no 'weather show', they tell it like it is.

Matt, I overheard Gil this morning when I was in the kitchen. You did not even have to see his face to tell he was angry. I could hear the anger in his voice when he said 'tough commute tomorrow morning, even if you're area's going to be all rain'.

Shoreliner:

You can relax…while the gods of marketing and media hype try to take reality in one direction...mother nature keeps trumping their hand and making them look bad (lol). So here is what is coming in the next 7 days…

High pressure will build over the Tri-State/Middle Atlantic today with bright sunshine. An area of low pressure will pass into the Great Lakes with heavy snow in many areas of the upper Midwest/Great Lakes. For the Tri-State/I-95 corridor…a warm southerly/easterly flow early Wednesday will once again strengthen… and rain with temps of 45 to 50 F will be the rule from southern Rhode Island southward to Maryland. While interior areas of Connecticut may see a mix or rain/snow for a short time…it will quickly turn to rain, as all levels of the atmosphere quickly warm as subtropical Atlantic warmth is driven right across the Tri-State area. The Midwest however, will see a truly life-threanthening blizzard, with a foot of snow, 60-mph winds, and wind chills of 15 or 20 below zero. Glad you live on the mild margins of the mainland – lol?

On Thursday High pressure once again builds into the Eastern Seaboard and it should provide sunny and seasonable weather with temps near 40 F through the rest of the week and most of the weekend. So it looks like sunny and cool weather for the next 4/5 days after the rain on Wednesday. Good shopping weather I guess. In the long term…it looks like the cold air may be pushed out once again late next week (Dec 13 to 19th). This brings us to within 5 or so of Christmas.

With the first 8 days of December already gone…mean temperatures are running 3.0 F ABOVE average at NWS Central Park…2.5 F ABOVE average at NWS Bridgeport…and 4.9 F ABOVE average at NWS Bradley! This is helping to keep the ground and area ocean waters from cooling. So December is doing quite well so far…our mild December seems right on track.

Yep, my area looks to be not totally, but mostly rain. Like you said, it could be worse, I could be out in the midwest! There is no way I could ever live out there, I would be an alcoholic for sure!

Brian Visitor and Si


I am so excited about the snowfall of Wed Dec 9.

It was great getting 5.4 inches of snow here in Shelton Ct. I measured the snow in an official way on a white painted snowboard which is a piece of plywood i painted white and place in a level open spot in the middle of my yard away from trees.I do live at a fairly high elevation , nearly 500 ft which may have helped somewhat.I understand that even coastal locations received 2 inches of snow.


Brian it looks like Rhode Island received a little less than inland southern connecticut this time because of the track of the storm from long island to Boston which will probably put you in the warm sector. Please let me know how much snow you received in West Warwick Ri.


Si, you are somewhat correct about the maritime effect of Coastal Ct snow climatology this time of year especially with the above normal temperatures we observed in November and the resultant above normal water temperatures.This had a huge effect on the snowfall of last Sat Dec 5 and even todays snowfall Wed Dec 9. Where i dont agree with you is how far the maritime effect is felt in the elevated areas away from the coast in western Ct.I live in Northern Shelton Ct at an elevation of 500 ft and i measured 5.4 inches of snow on a white snowboard in the middle of my yard . I know this is an official reading since i cleared the board completely from the previous snowfall. I also know that an official location staffed by Meteorologists in Downtown Danbury at an elevation lower than my area in Shelton, they are only 400 feet above sea level right in the middle of the urban heat island, they recorded 5.6 inches of snow. There was a spotter in Seymour Ct that received 6.8 inches of snow. IN northern Westchester County New York they received 7.4 inches of snow at an official national weather service coop site that has been in operation for over 60 years . Yet Central Park New York received only a trace.

Si , i am a firm believer in Climate Division maps drawn by the national weather service. I live north of the coastal division and i receive a more vigorous climate. The maps do not lie, i have seen it time and time again. The coastal division is much further from the coast where you live in southest connecticut. I do not think that you appreciate the effect of elevation that we have in western connecticut. In eastern connecticut you can go 20 miles inland and still be only 50 feet above sea level. That is not the case in Western Connecticut. You do not need to comment since we have been down that road too many times. I appreciate everything you say and consider it sound and i value it immensely. I have learned alot about the weather from you. YOu have introduced me to many new websites and enriched my hobby. I just feel that you need to be more openminded to the vagaries of our climate. For example, you do not consider any weather Data outside of Bridgeport and Bradley Windsor Locks not to be of any value. I disagree with you there. I know that the Danbury weather records are just as good or better than the official National Weather Service Sites since they are staffed by Meteorologists most who have been educated at Western Connecticut State University, Dr Mels teaching University. I agree with you that some of the public spotters may be suspect. Get ready for a fun filled exciting winter weather season coming up.

Mj visitor

I was very happy about the lack of winter weather in my area. Did I ever mention how much I love living on the shoreline? :)

Still, it was horrible in the area where I work today. I just thank god that it did not stay all slop, because we would have no doubt been in trouble like those poor folks out in the midwest.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our luck keeps up & big storms keep missing us.......

I got a question for you, wtnh. I see you have a link where people can send winter photos. How come in the summer, there's never a link where you can send your summer photos???????

Just goes to show how biased channel 8 is. Hype up the cold & shoot down the warmth.

I recieved 4 inches of snow in West Warwick R.I. This storm delivered a pretty good burst of snow on the front end of this storm. Even with the rain still a good 2-3 inches on the ground. While looking at some weather cams from the shoreline,the ground is bare. Thats the difference between shoreline communities and just inland.

Ok…now it’s my turn…

Connecticut…the Tri-State area…the I-95 states…call it what you will – has to be the most pathetic winter climate in the USA. Worse…the hype surrounding zero (most coastal big cities of the I-95 corridor) to a few slushy inches (inland) is the most animated, forced, theatrical spectral I have ever witnessed. I was able to stay home today for a different reason (not the weather)…so I was able to watch the morning, noon, and evening news.

The joke is…WTNH and the winter weather biased forecasters on Channel 8 try… sooooo hard… to create a story when “there was none”. Parts of interior CT received a few slushy inches, people went to work, and the roads were mostly fine, it changed to rain, case closed. But you could see the reporter’s desperately trying to get people to spin up the wimpy snow. They tried to interview people and pump them up about a few slushy inches…but everyone seemed unfazed like the snow was a non-event. When it became apparent that most of the state was getting rain (melting the few wimpy inches of snow)…then they tried to hype the cold The one on the Noon broadcast was classic channel 8: “Well even though it’s raining now, all those puddles might freeze tonight…so it’s going to be a tough go home tonight” . Give me a break! I saw all the traffic cams tonight a 5 pm…and traffic was FLYING down I-84, I-91, I-95, and the Merritt!

I saw the pictures today from the upper Midwest, where places like Iowa get 2 feet of snow, had 7 foot snow drifts, 60-mph winds, whiteout/blizzard conditions…etc. Even in the Midwest, the snow got less coverage the wimpy East Coast wimpy rain/slush storm. People in the Tri-State area wonder why people in the Midwest laugh at their winters (lol). Since there is no snow in the forecast now…on tonight’s weather cast we were warned that “is that it’s going to be in the “30’s on Fri and Saturday! Wow…I better get my disaster kit ready (lol). I was scanning Midwest NWS sites this evening and reading about the Blizzard out there…when I saw this on the NWS Quad Cities Iowa site. Only after I read this… am I truly reminded what people in “real winter climates” quietly endure each winter…while we on the East Coast hype 30 F and a few slushy inches.

What a joke we are.


URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
600 PM CST WED DEC 9 2009

...STRONG WINDS TO PRODUCE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW THROUGH THE
EVENING AS WELL AS PRODUCE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS LATER TONIGHT...

AN EXTREMELY STRONG WINTER STORM MOVING ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES
WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE HIGH WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH SOME GUSTS
UP TO 40 MPH THROUGH AT LEAST EARLY EVENING. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO
PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT BLOWING SNOW AND BLIZZARD TO NEAR BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS OVER MUCH OF EASTERN IOWA AND NORTHWEST ILLINOIS INTO
THE EVENING. TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE EXTREME
DRIFTING AND POOR VISIBILITIES IN FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW. THEN AS THE WINDS
DECREASE SOME...BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW PROBLEMS WILL BE REPLACED BY
BITING WIND CHILLS OF 30 BELOW OR COLDER AFTER MIDNIGHT. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMLATIONS
SO FAR HAVE BEEN 15 to 20 INCHES ACROSS THE REGION.

THE BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM CST THIS EVENING. A
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
THURSDAY. GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES. SNOW MAY DRIFT UP TO
7 FEET ON SOME RURAL ROADS. SOME LOCATIONS IN RURAL AREAS MAY STILL
SEE NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS FOR A FEW MORE HOURS. TRAVEL WILL BE
DIFFICULT MUCH OF THIS EVENING. THE LOSS OF DAYLIGHT WILL ALSO ADD
TO THE GREATLY REDUCED VISIBILITIES.LATER TONIGHT...WEST WINDS OF
15 TO 25 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH FRIGID ARCTIC AIR SURGING INTO THE
AREA TO PRODUCE BITING WIND CHILLS OF 25 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO
AFTER MIDNIGHT.

The Connecticut Weather Show! Gotta love it! :)

OMG Matt! Look at those frigid mid 40 temps! Better watch out for them icy spots! :)

I think maybe a few of you are living in a bubble, you seem to think that Connecticut has never gotten an inch of snow, the five inches on my porch (in Tolland County) seem to say otherwise, the snowstorms we get every year at least one of which drops over a foot of snow are freak occurences, do you people actually believe that Connecticut has comparable weather to Florida? Do you actually believe that Connecticut is not in New England? Do you believe your claims that the "media" fools us into thinking we get snow? I see snow outside right now, for thinking you are such great weathermen and should get a job at WTNH your predictions have already been wrong, you're delusional, and you don't seem to understand the concept that shorelines recieve less snow than inland locations as far north as southern Maine.

I don’t think folks in southern Connecticut are living in a bubble, …and I don’t think they compare Connecticut to tropical Florida…etc…However, I do think that snow is greatly overblown/hyped in Connecticut/NYC/NJ. I think people get tired of the hype.

And that is another thing…why do certain people in Connecticut get so defensive when they are told Connecticut is in the Tri-State and NOT in New England. Southern Connecticut is the southern most part…of the southernmost state in New England. I lived in real New England for 3 years back in the 1980’s (Maine).

Trust me; there is little “New England” about Connecticut’s weather.

Alot of people who have lived in Connecticut resent being told that they are not part of New England because they all have a similar culture that they feel seperates them from New York and New Jersey, with the exception of cities like Bridgeport, CT (24 inches of snowfall) and Groton (34) most of Connecticut gets around 50-60 inches of snowfall which is about the same as in Massachusetts, with the exception of the coast the state experiences a Humid Continental climate which is present throughout New England. Hartford gets twice the amount of snowfall each year as Trenton, NJ and NYC, but about the same as Boston which is considered the "capital" of New England. A good number of towns in the Northwest of the State get comparable snowfall to Portland, Maine which according to you is "real" New England.

1st thing you should do Dr Mel..is tell
people about the effects the moon on weather..Farmers Almanac uses it..and I love these warm & fuzzy weather forecasters
never really saying anything..

google..Ken Ring for moon effects