La Nina/El Nino - where are we heading into winter?

It's been months since any discussion has taken place here on the blog regarding El Nino or La Nina. Just as a refresher:

• La Nina - colder than normal water near the Equator in the Pacific
• El Nino - warmer than normal water near the Equator in the Pacific

Currently, we are in between so we call it "neutral" heading into winter, and may continue through spring too.

Here's a snapshot of a somewhat recent El Nino (2015) when water temperatures were VERY warm. It was one of the stronger El Nino events and you can see all of the red (warm water) piled up near the equator. That's what they look like from satellite measuring sensors. 

(El Nino setups typically yield wetter than normal weather for Kansas and the southern Plains)

On the flip side, La Nina has cooler water and the most recent one was back in 2011-12

 (La Nina in summertime - for Kansas- can be long, pronounced drought conditions)

So that means we might have an extra wild card in our winter forecast, which will be coming out next month. Just because there isn't an influence from the above phenomenon doesn't mean we will have more snow or less snow. It is still just one small factor to consider this winter.

Thursday rain/snow chance:

Looking less impressive, BUT there will still be some precipitation nearby. Some showers are still possible over southern Kansas (mainly south of a Dodge City to Wichita line). Some snow accumulations (on grassy areas) look possible out in New Mexico and southern Colorado. WE WILL get the colder weather, so winds, clouds, and colder temperatures will arrive. But the moisture looks pretty limited for this immediate area. Much of it will go south.

Forecast temperatures at the end of October and into November look chilly. If you haven't winterized your sprinkler system or had your furnace checked out, do it very soon. Some of the coldest air may arrive in the first 7 days of November. Stay tuned.