Because we live in a cold dominated climate, September is the month when the question of what is expected this winter comes up frequently. I have already been asked that question more times than I can remember. Although the winter of 2016-2017 started off cold and snowy, overall, much of North Dakota recorded the 4th above average temperature, below average snowy winter in a row. Will we do that again? With the Pacific Ocean transitioning to cooler temperatures, plus some hints of a few subtle changes in the Atlantic as well, there are reasons to believe this winter (2017-2018) will be colder than the what we have experienced in the past few years.
Daryl Ritchison