Ohio Could See Mild Winter

As winter draws near, Ohio could see less snowfall and milder temps this season.

The National Weather Service and Accuweather are both predicting a warmer-than-avergage winter, December through February, with below average snowfall. WHIZ Storm Team Meteorologist, Phil Sakal, said the milder season is expected, due to a strong El Nino brewing in the Pacific Ocean.

“El Nino is the warming of the Pacific waters around the central latitudes, and that also brings about changes in wind patterns, so that certainly indicates a little bit more of a change in the winter across the region,” Sakal said.

Sakal said Ohio could get through the beginning of winter without any snowfall, which would be a relief after the big chill we’ve seen the past two years. As for a white Christmas, although it’s possible, Sakal said the chance for a “winter wonderland” is unlikely.

“I do believe we’ll see a milder at least start to the winter, El Nino is pretty much going to be the strongest during December through the majority of January, but then it does kind of weaken as we head into February, so we’ll see more snow and I think a little more cold as we end the winter,” Sakal said.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac, however, predicts that this winter will be colder and slightly drier than normal, but with above average snowfall. Sakal said there is no scientific evidence behind that prediction.