In this thread, we discuss winter weather. I know it's early but I don't care.

First, a question: Any predictions as to how this year's gonna look? I don't care if these are based on wild guesses, crackpot theories involving caterpillars, or the latest in meteorological science.

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Second, a recreation of a conversation I had with a student who just moved here from northern Wisconsin:

Him: "So how much snow do you guys get every year?"
Me: "Sometimes none. The most I ever remember having on the ground at once was maybe 14 inches.
Him: "Oh, wow. So basically you're saying none, ever."
Me: "I guess, but the good news is that if there's any, we definitely get out of class."
Him: "You mean like if there's a 14 inch day?"
Me: "No, I mean if there's any at all. If white stuff falls from the sky, we get out of class."
Him: "What? That's bullshit! I pay money for my classes, I expect to be able to go to them."
Me: You're a god damned communist is what you are.

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Third, a prediction of my own: This thread will fail.

11/9/2009 3:22:58 PM

Quote :

"crackpot theories involving caterpillars"

i put quite a bit of stock in caterpillars and farmer's almanacs...the caterpillars have been around a lot longer than we have, and the farmers were more inclined to identify weather patterns for predictive purposes

just sayin'

11/9/2009 3:28:15 PM

Quote :

"Long-Range Weather Forecast Southeast Region November 2009 Warmer. Average precipitation north, above normal precipitation south."

-farmer's almanac


so no snow

more info!

Quote :

"NOVEMBER 2009: temperature 57° (2° above avg.); precipitation 4.5" (avg. north, 3" above south); Nov 1-10: Showers, then sunny, very warm; Nov 11-15: Rain, then sunny, cold; Nov 16-18: Heavy rain, seasonable; Nov 19-22: Sunny, mild; Nov 23-25: Rain and snow, then sunny, cold; Nov 26-28: Rain, mild; Nov 29-30: Sunny, cool. DECEMBER 2009: temperature 50° (2° above avg.); precipitation 2.5" (1" below avg.); Dec 1-4: Sunny; cool, then warmer; Dec 5-9: Rain, then sunny, cold; Dec 10-13: Rain, chilly; Dec 14-16: Sprinkles, turning mild; Dec 17-19: Heavy rain, warm; Dec 20-22: Sunny, cool; Dec 23-26: Scattered showers, warm; Dec 27-31: Sunny, seasonable. Annual Weather Summary: November 2009 to October 2010 Winter will be colder than normal, on average, primarily due to a cool March. The coldest periods will occur in early to mid-December, early to mid-January, and early to mid-February. Precipitation will be above normal near the South Carolina coast, below normal west of Raleigh, and near normal elsewhere. Expect above-normal snowfall in much of the region, with the greatest threats for snow in mid-January and mid-February. April and May will be much warmer and drier than normal. Summer will be cooler and slightly rainier than normal, with the hottest temperatures in early to mid-August and other hot periods in mid-July and late August. September and October will be slightly cooler and drier than normal."

[Edited on November 9, 2009 at 3:31 PM. Reason : ]

11/9/2009 3:29:48 PM

supposed to be one of the coldest winters in 30 years.

buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut yesterday was almost 80 degrees. thoughts?

11/9/2009 4:01:48 PM

...we'll pay dearly for it later?


My right nipple says this will be an awfully cold, dry winter.

11/9/2009 4:05:45 PM

sun is inactive, so cold as shit

11/9/2009 4:06:34 PM

I predict that Greg Fishel's going into the fountain again!

11/9/2009 5:02:01 PM

Sweet...the great thing about living here is if they even call for snow everything shuts down.

11/9/2009 5:27:10 PM

i sure hope it doesn't last as long as last year.

Last year we had a snowfall in the middle of spring break (march 2nd)... at least i got a chance to go snowboarding that day though

11/9/2009 5:28:49 PM

as much as i love wral, they are the absolute worst at predicting precipitation amounts. they're always over. i know snow can be especially hard to predict, but to go from forecasting 6-8 inches than actually getting nothing, not one single flake, come on man.

i love snow. that hurts my feelings

i've learned my lesson finally and will not pay a bit of attention to how much precip they forecast this winter.

11/9/2009 5:29:47 PM

Supposed to be a very cold winter, the horses' winter coats are growing in thick as hell!

11/9/2009 5:30:55 PM

it was cold and snowy last year, so I'm going to say unseasonably warm this year. I will even predict a day or two of near 70F in February, although it will get the coldest in March.

11/9/2009 5:31:35 PM

^ that usually happens. theres always a week of "spring weather" in january or so, and then it turns back into an arctic desolation.

11/9/2009 5:45:41 PM

I see a snowflake with rain on my iPhone for Saturday.

12/1/2009 1:56:52 PM

oh, be quiet, you dont even know what arctic desolation is. its snowing here right now.

12/1/2009 2:00:28 PM

Last year we had some 60s-70s right before xmas. I remember playing football with friends wearing just shorts and t-shirt.

12/1/2009 2:03:07 PM

Quote :

"I see a snowflake with rain on my iPhone for Saturday."

Bullshit. I mean, I'm sure you see such a thing, but bullshit that it will actually happen.

Although the low is supposed to be 28, so I suppose it's possible that night. It's just that it won't. And even if it does, it won't matter because it's supposed to be fucking fifty the next day.

12/1/2009 2:40:13 PM

There was snow in the extended range forecast for the 12th. But I'll believe it when I see it.

On a similar note--tons of woolly caterpillars out in New Bern this weekend.

12/1/2009 2:44:41 PM

weather.com & iphone weather say it'll be colder here in RM but just rain, no snow. how does that work?

12/1/2009 3:00:10 PM

I graduated from the NC State Meteorology program this past June and from all my sources it looks like if the El Nino doesn't get too strong we could see favorable conditions for a few decent winter weather events in NC. If it is too strong we get alot of rain with less in the way of arctic air being available.

12/1/2009 3:27:24 PM

the moisture patterns are set up for snow... the temperature is what will really limit it

12/1/2009 3:42:25 PM

bttt?

1/31/2010 11:17:55 AM

1/31/2010 11:21:21 AM

girl in uggs and north face: "I'm so cold i think i'm gonna get malaria"

1/31/2010 3:51:56 PM

hahahaha

1/31/2010 4:21:36 PM

I was impressed that they managed to call this one somewhat accurately.

Some fools were talking about more later in the week, but it looks more likely to be rain. That's fine, though -- February and plenty of March are still possibilities for future inclement weather.

Now if State would just do like we all know it's going to do and cancel class tomorrow...

1/31/2010 5:04:53 PM

i have done the paper that is due tomorrow, just to make sure we will at least have a delay of 2 hrs

1/31/2010 5:08:03 PM

Do when know when we'd hear from State about classes? I know WCPSS and Wake Tech have already canceled.

1/31/2010 5:14:54 PM

Quote :

"Monday, Feb. 1 Classes Before Noon Cancelled; NC State Open But Operating Under Status 3 Adverse Weather Advisory Classes at North Carolina State University will be in session beginning at noon on Monday, Feb. 1. The university will operate Monday under an adverse weather advisory. Provost Warwick Arden announced the decision after university officials reviewed the latest National Weather Service forecast and local driving conditions. When the university is open but operating under an adverse weather advisory, essential employees should report for work, while employees in non-critical roles must make their own decisions about reporting to work, based on personal safety. In such circumstances, leave-earning employees may use accrued time, or may make up missed time within 12 months. Students who miss scheduled activities will be allowed to make up any missed coursework. Commuters who have an option are asked to use deck parking first so that surface parking areas can be scraped. The NC State University adverse weather regulation is online at htt- p://www.ncsu.edu/policies/campus_environ/health_safety_welfare/REG0- 4.20.7.php Please do not reply to this message. It has been sent to you from a university mailbox used only for adverse weather broadcast e-mails and not monitored for responses. ********************************************************************* * This message was approved in accordance with the NC State * * University Computer Use Policy Administrative Regulations * * Section IV D on broadcast e-mail. See URL * * http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/informationtechnology/REG08.00.2.php * ********************************************************************* "

1/31/2010 5:21:05 PM

My prediction: repeat of last year. Amirite?


[Edited on February 2, 2010 at 1:46 AM. Reason : fail]

2/2/2010 1:44:01 AM