Saturday, December 4, 2010

1st morning of winter season is in eye of beholder

When the 1st morning of winter season is depends upon how you define it. When winter begins is subject to interpretation. “Meteorological winter” and “astronomical winter” are different approaches to the exact same term. Why you will find two definitions of winter probably doesn’t matter when you’re shoveling snow or trying to drive to work in a storm.

Winter season 2010 beginning

If going by a meteorological standpoint, winter season 2010 will start on Dec. 1. The 1st day of astronomical winter is the winter season solstice, which is Dec. 21st on the 2010 calendar. This year, definitions for winter season were not what the climate waited for. It began all on its own. A few weeks of huge snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures had already happened once December 1 hit. The primary influence on winter season weather this year is a phenomenon called La Nina. La Nina is a drop in ocean temperatures across the equatorial Pacific. The northern U.S. ends up with worse winter season conditions when La Nina is occurring.

Enjoying the 1st morning of winter season 2 times

The meteorological winter began when the northern hemisphere got into its coldest temperatures on average. December 1 was when this happened. The shortest days usually are when there is the coldest climate. This is anytime between Nov and Jan usually. In Jan, the snow pack really helps the atmosphere to stay cooler which is why the coldest part of the meteorological winter season is typically then. Dec. 21st is when the astronomical winter could be beginning. That is as the northern hemisphere could be having its shortest period of daylight. Days commence to get longer after the solstice. There will not be many more meteorological winter season days left. The astronomical winter will not end until March 21, 2011. This will be when the vernal equinox happens.

Winter season 2010-11 climate happening

In real life, the 1st morning of winter comes too early and the 1st morning of spring comes too late for those living in the climates most affected by weather and short daylight. Winter 2010-11 will hit hardest in the Northwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes and New England, based on accuweather.com. Above normal snow and ice is within the forecast for these regions. For relief, consider going south. There is a "non-winter" forecasted some places. From CA to the Southeast are these areas.

Articles cited

Archeoastronomy.com

archaeoastronomy.com/2011.shtml

Accuweather.com

accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/40340/accuweathercom-winter-forecast-1.asp

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter



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