Winter outlook tempered by Carolina snow drought

Our area in Greenville, South Carolina is experiencing a historic drought with 1,046 days since the last snowfall, the longest period on record. Normally, the region sees an average of 5.1 inches of snow in the Upstate and 9.9 inches in the mountains every year. The current La Nina weather pattern, caused by cooler sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is creating a calmer southern jet stream leading to drier conditions. However, occasional cold air and low-pressure systems could bring snowy situations, especially in January and February. While it is likely that the area will see some snow this winter to avoid a third consecutive snowless season, an above-average year of snow is unlikely. Nevertheless, residents are preparing for potentially cold and snowy weather in the coming months. With such a long break in snowfall, the community is eagerly anticipating the winter weather that is typically a regular occurrence in the area.

Source
Photo credit www.wyff4.com