http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20001220/2930778s.htm

'Normal winter' is coming back with a vengeance Past 3 years will be mild memories

By Jessie Halladay
USA TODAY

The nation can expect two or three major winter storms and some unusual weather in certain parts of the country, according to weather forecasters who released their three-month outlook Tuesday.

Despite mild winters the past three years, ''it's going to be an old-fashioned, normal winter,'' said Jack Kelly, director of the National Weather Service.

''Old-fashioned'' means a return to colder temperatures and heavy snowfall for the Midwest; warmer days in the South; and wetter weather in the Northeast.

Winters in the USA the past three years have been warmer with less precipitation because of El Niņo and La Niņa, conditions of Pacific warming and cooling that influence weather patterns worldwide. Those conditions don't exist this year, so forecasters say this winter will be harsher.

''The recent cold spell, including the ice storms, is an example of what most of the nation will likely face throughout the winter,'' Kelly said. ''Take precautions now to prepare for this winter, because it's here.''

Though general weather patterns will return to the more normal conditions experienced before El Niņo and La Niņa, some areas will get unusual weather, according to the weather service forecast that extends through March:

* Colder-than-usual temperatures will reach from the north-central states to the mid-Atlantic.

* A coast-to-coast swath of the southern USA will experience warmer-than-usual temperatures.

* Wetter weather will prevail from the Northeast into the Southeast.

Even though winter doesn't officially begin until Thursday, residents throughout the central USA have been smacked with wintry conditions. Weather continued to snag work, school and holiday travel Tuesday as snow and ice hit states throughout the Midwest and South.

Tuesday, temperatures fell to freezing levels as far south as Mobile, Ala., and snow fell along the Appalachians from Canada into Georgia. Three inches of snow fell in Atlanta, forcing Delta Air Lines to cancel more than half of its morning flights out of Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport.

South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges closed state offices in some counties because of the weather.

Still recovering from tornadoes that struck Saturday and killed 12 people, Alabama residents endured another day of snow and freezing temperatures on Tuesday.

Snow continued to fall throughout the Midwest; parts of Wisconsin were expected to get another foot Tuesday.

Chicagoans trying to dig out from last week's snowstorm were hit again early Tuesday with another 5 inches of snow. So far in December, the city has had nearly 20 inches of snow, more than twice the average for the month.

''It's been really, really tough,'' said Linda Minneci, 50, a cashier at Armitage Hardware store. ''My shoulders and back are killing me from shoveling and throwing salt.''

After digging out her car, driving to work and struggling to find a cleared parking space on the street, Minneci kept busy selling snow shovels and salt to a seemingly never-ending line of customers.

''I think it caught everybody by surprise,'' she said. ''We've gone through six truckloads of shovels and tons of rock salt.''

Chicago officials devised a plan Friday to help clear city streets by asking residents to move their cars so snowplows could make it through. But most people ignored the suggestion because they didn't want to lose coveted parking spaces. Following a city custom, many drivers marked their spaces with lawn chairs or old furniture. Minneci was among those who marked her parking space after digging it out.

''I've got a bucket and boxes, anything I could think of to hold my space,'' she said.

Even as most of the country suffered wintry weather, Californians were getting unseasonable heat and dry, windy conditions -- prime for wildfires. Southern California's hot weather was expected to continue for several days.

-- (in@the.news), December 20, 2000

Answers

But this doesn't mean that Global Warming is no longer an issue. In fact it proves just the opposite.

Don't try to figure that out. Send money.

-- (DrStrangelove@NOAA.org), December 20, 2000.

http://www0.mercurycenter.com/breaking/docs/074412.htm

Posted at 5:14 p.m. PST Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000

U.S. told to brace for extreme winter weather

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An early blast of winter storms that has frozen many parts of the United States is only a preview of what Mother Nature has in store for the rest of the season, government metrologists said Tuesday.

Jack Kelly, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service, said extreme conditions were expected this winter in the northern Plains, upper Midwest, Great Lakes, northern Rockies and parts of the Northwest.

``The recent cold spell, including the ice storms, is an example of what most of the nation will likely face throughout the winter,'' Kelly told reporters at a briefing on the government's winter weather outlook.

``Take precautions now to prepare for this winter, because it's here,'' he added.

Across much of the United States this week snow, sleet and bone- chilling temperatures have shut-down schools, played havoc for travelers and left thousands without power. In Washington, an aircraft carrying President-elect George W. Bush was delayed at Dulles airport while snow was cleared from the runway.

The wintry weather even dipped into the heart of the American South with Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia all hard hit by an icy blast. At least 3 inches of wet snow fell on northern Georgia.

``As we progress through the winter, there is a good chance of seeing a couple more major cold outbreaks, and considerable swings in temperature and precipitation across the nation,'' Kelly said.

In the next two weeks, more precipitation -- including more snow -- is expected from Texas to the Carolinas to New England, NOAA said. The Pacific Northwest can expect more heavy rain.

The wintry weather comes on the heels of a November that NOAA said was the second coldest on record.

-- (in@the.news), December 20, 2000.

Meteorologists Say 2000 Weather Was Warm and Extreme

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch- msg.tcl?msg_id=004GWR

-- (in@the.news), December 20, 2000.

"warmer days in the South" my ass!

Windchill of 5 this morning!! Same for tonight.......

I think summer is officially over now....

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), December 20, 2000.

um, guess you arent um, enjoying the beach now, um, are you?

(smile, I JUST couldnt resist)

sumer, who wishes it/she were summer on da beach

Where my son is.....Reddington shores Florida.

HEAT. as i look at the snow and *sigh*

-- sumer (shh@aol.con), December 20, 2000.

sumer

I haven't had the pleasure of the beach for a couple months now. Weather hasn't been all that bad, just don't seem to have the time. We 'normally' don't freeze so close to the ocean down here, but last night we hit 25 (or so) for 4-5 hours. I'm sure I lost a palm tree or two.

I betcha ol' Unk felt the chill too. Looks like this blast of cold made it all the way to Miami.

Hope your boy is doin' OK!

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), December 20, 2000.