Winter 2011-2012: Brutal for the Midwest, Great Lakes
Hands down, AccuWeather.com's long-range experts agree that the Midwest and Great Lakes region will be dealt the worst of winter this year.
In terms of both snow and cold, this winter is expected to be the worst in Chicago.
AccuWeather.com Long-Range Meteorologist Josh Nagelberg even went so far as to say, "People in Chicago are going to want to move after this winter."
However, for the worst of winter's cold alone, the AccuWeather.com Long-Range Forecasting Team points to Minneapolis.
The team also highlights Buffalo, N.Y., Indianapolis and Omaha, Neb., as cities that will have to deal with a hefty amount of snow.
Bitterly cold blasts of arctic air are expected to invade the northern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes December through January, while snowfall averages above normal. "A couple of heavy hitters are possible [during this time]," Pastelok said in relation to the snow.
Snowfall is predicted to be above normal from Minnesota and Iowa into Michigan, Ohio and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. Above-normal snowfall is also likely in areas farther east into Pennsylvania and New York due to a lake-effect snow season.
This buildup of snow cover across the Midwest and Great Lakes could act to prolong the colder-than-normal weather beyond February and into early spring.
Full AccuWeather.com Winter 2011-2012 Forecast
More Weather News
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Top Five Tornado Myths Debunked
Feb 23, 2012; 7:30 AM ET
Though everyone has seen a Hollywood tornado flick where a highway overpass has served as an effective shelter against an F-5 twister, officials say it's certainly not the recommended course of action.
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Huge Contrast in East: Unusual Warmth vs. Snow
Feb 23, 2012; 5:10 AM ET
Whether or not warmth reaches you in the East Thursday into Friday will depend on which side of the meteorological fence you are on.
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South, Tennessee Valley Severe Weather Risk
Feb 23, 2012; 5:09 AM ET
Locally severe thunderstorms will sweep through the Tennessee Valley and portions of the South.
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Misconception: Mobile Homes are Hit More by Tornadoes
Feb 23, 2012; 5:08 AM ET
In the wake of a tornado, it's not uncommon to see images of devastating damage in mobile home communities while surrounding site-built homes appear relatively unscathed.
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Winter Returns to the East Friday into Saturday
Feb 23, 2012; 5:07 AM ET
In a winter season that has been dominated by mild temperatures and lack of snow, the Great Lakes and the Northeast are in for a reminder that winter is not yet over.
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Northern Plains Snowstorm May be Brewing
Feb 23, 2012; 5:06 AM ET
There is some indication a storm with wind and snow may crank up affecting the northern and central Plains later this weekend.
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Snow May Reach Seattle Hills This Weekend
Feb 23, 2012; 5:05 AM ET
Snow could brush some of the hilltops around Seattle and will clog the Cascade passes this weekend.
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Another Tropical Cyclone May Target Madagascar
Feb 23, 2012; 5:02 AM ET
Tropical Cyclone Giovanna stormed ashore in eastern Madagascar at mid month, packing 120-mph top winds.
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Snowbound in. . . Africa?
Feb 23, 2012; 5:00 AM ET
Europe's extreme cold and heavy snow reached across Mediterranean waters to Africa, where severe winter weather was replicated in parts of Algeria and Tunisia.
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Tornado Season Coming Soon
Feb 23, 2012; 4:58 AM ET
The tornado frequency increases in the spring as the warm and cold seasons battle it out in the U.S.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 89° | Harlingen, TX |
| Low | 5° | Chama, NM |
| Precip | 2.56" | Stampede Pass, WA |
WeatherWhys®
Avalanches are caused by a number of factors. Thick layers of snow and ice of varying intensity along a mountainside are weakened by the force of gravity and changing weather conditions. At some point, this large mass of snow is released down the mountain in a form of an avalanche.
This Day In Weather History
New England (1802)
Great snowstorm raged over New England. 4 foot depths piled up north of Boston, three large Indiamen wrecked on Cape Cod.
S.W. Ohio (1962)
Severe glaze storm: Ice 1" thick, $1 million property damage.
Rough Weather
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