Winter has officially arrived, and meteorologists are offering a fresh look at what the season has in store for Maryland. The Weather Company and Old Farmer's Almanac anticipate it will be colder than normal in late January and February, while the Farmers' Almanac and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting a wetter-than-average winter.
Here is a look at the winter weather outlook for the mid-Atlantic and the rest of the U.S.
The Weather Company's forecast calls for a mild winter in the northwest third of the country but below-normal temperatures across the eastern and much of the southern United States.
The most significant cold — relative to what is normal — will be across the southeastern U.S., according to that forecast.
Todd Crawford, the chief meteorologist for The Weather Company, which is owned by IBM, said much of the country is experiencing moderate temperatures typical of an El Nino weather pattern that could turn sharply colder in January and February.
"Temperatures are expected to be below average overall from the South to the mid-Atlantic from January through March 2019," according to the winter weather outlook from The Weather Company.
January
- Mid-Atlantic: Temps near or slightly below average
- Northeast: Colder than normal
- Southeast: Colder than normal
- North Central: Warmer than normal
- South Central: Colder than normal
- Northwest: Warmer than normal
- Southwest: Warmer than normal west, colder than normal east
February
- Mid-Atlantic: Temps well below average
- Northeast: Colder than normal
- Southeast: Colder than normal
- North Central: Colder than normal
- South Central: Colder than normal
- Northwest: Warmer than normal
- Southwest: Warmer than normal
March
- Most of Maryland: Temps near or slightly above average
- Southern Maryland: Temps near or slightly below average
- Northeast: Warmer than normal
- Southeast: Colder than normal
- North Central: Warmer than normal
- South Central: Colder than normal
- Northwest: Warmer than normal
- Southwest: Colder than normal
On the other hand, the Old Farmer's Almanac, often considered the source of one of the most accurate forecasts, calls for above-normal temperatures in most of the United States — except for the Southwest, which it predicts will see a colder-than-normal winter.
Here is the outlook for the mid-Atlantic, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac:
- Coldest period: Late January and early February
- Snowiest period: Late January and mid-February
Precipitation will also be above normal for most of the country, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, including the mid-Atlantic — which may not necessarily translate to more snow.
"Precipitation will be slightly above normal, with below-normal snowfall," the Old Farmer's Almanac said of the mid-Atlantic. So rain or freezing rain may be in the forecast.
The Southeast, southern California, the nation's midsection, and parts of Alaska and Hawaii will see less precipitation than usual, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The Farmers' Almanac calls for bone-chilling winter weather in mid-February, especially in the Northeast and New England, the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest and the Southeast.
"The real teeth-chattering arrives mid-February," according to the Farmer's Almanac. "The Almanac also forecasts an unusually snowy and/or wet winter across the Pacific Northwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic States; in these regions, the thermometer will be hovering just above or just below the freezing mark, which means some precipitation may fall as either ice or rain/freezing rain."
Some highlights from the Farmers' Almanac prediction:
- Colder-than-normal conditions are expected from the Continental Divide east through the Appalachians.
- Unusually snowy and/or wet winter conditions are predicted in the mid-Atlantic.
- Above-normal snowfall is predicted for Great Lakes, Midwest, central and northern New England and the Pacific Northwest from January through February.
- Frigid weather is expected in mid-February, which may also bring blustery winds and widespread snow showers, especially in areas east of the Continental Divide.
- Along the East Coast, winter won't give up when spring officially arrives March 20, 2019.
Finally, climate forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say a weak El Nino favors a mild winter for most of the United States, with above-normal temperatures likely across the northern and western United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
A weak El Nino may bring wetter conditions to the southern United States, and warmer and drier conditions to parts of the northern U.S.
The good news in that forecast: No area of the United States is expected to have below-normal temperatures.
"Wetter-than-average conditions are favored across the southern tier of the U.S., and up into the mid-Atlantic," according to NOAA. "Northern Florida and southern Georgia have the greatest odds for above-average precipitation this winter."
