Well, technically no..as I write this it's still Halloween, but by the time many of you read this, it will be November! (Don't forget to say ‘rabbit, rabbit' first thing for good luck!)
So, now that November is here, naturally the weather gets colder. Click the top image on the left hand side of this page to see where our average high and low temperature go during the month of November. The average high will slide 12 degrees from the 1st of the month to the last day, while the overnight low average temp goes from the mid 30s to mid 20s!
It should be noted, however, that our last 19 months have been above average for temperatures in the Champlain Valley. This is actually a record long streak of above average months. So with that, it brings to question whether or now November will also be above average. What we need is for cold air to be able to dig down to the northeast. You can try to take a stab at multi-month forecast by looking at global circulations and global oscillations. There are 2 in particular that we need to look to (here in the northeast) to determine temperature trends for multiple weeks at a time- the Arctic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation. These atmospheric fluctuations allow (or don't allow) the spread of colder arctic air from the poles down to the mid latitudes where we live. The current outlook for both of these oscillations show a positive phase trend, which is the direction of warmer than average conditions here in the northeast (images of ensemble forecasts for the AO and NAO on left hand side). Not to worry skiers and riders, these trends are only foreseeable about 2 weeks out at best, so not all hope is lost for the winter. We'll see how things pan out.
Meanwhile, to hold those of you over who want colder weather and more snow, I did get a press release from Ski Vermont today outlining the expected opening dates of our local ski areas.
Killington Resort: Opened for pass holders October 13-14, 2012! Full opening day expected early November.
Stowe Mountain Resort: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Sugarbush Resort: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Okemo Mountain Resort: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Stratton Mountain: Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Mount Snow Resort: Friday, November 23, 2012
Smugglers' Notch Resort: Friday, November 23, 2012
Bromley Mountain: Friday, November 23, 2012
Jay Peak Resort: Saturday, November 24, 2012
Bolton Valley: Saturday, December 8, 2012
Middlebury College Snow Bowl: Friday, December 14, 2012
Magic Mountain: Saturday, December 15, 2012 (12/8 if possible)
Mad River Glen: Saturday, December 15, 2012 (earlier if possible)
Pico Mountain: Saturday, December 15, 2012
