Winter along the much of the west coast will be difficult this year. The models have strong indicators for stormy conditions. Along the Rocky Mountains, the convergence of warm and cold fronts will bring weather that will provide an abundance of freezing temperatures and snowfall perhaps setting new records. Mid-America is in for a double influence of precipitation, more than likely, without the extremes.

Variable conditions will be dominant for the south and north east portions of the country. The stormy indications from the west will carry over to the south and east but there is a possibility that the winter will be somewhat milder overall in the northeast. The weekly trends will provide more information as to where the storms will travel.

NATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS WEEKLY OBSERVATIONS

Wednesday December 20, 2006 New (Perigee Dec. 28)

NORTHWEST - Rain and cold temperatures most of the period.
SoCAL - Mostly sunny, clouds mid period and cool
MIDDLE USA - Rain and clouds most of the period with fluctuating temperatures
GREAT LAKES - Above average temperatures to begin changing to variable temperatures, also rain and clouds.
SOUTHEAST - Moderate temperatures; a mostly cloudy/rain week

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 Quarter

NORTHWEST - Warming and drying out. Changing to cold and windy.
SoCAL - Fair weather changing to cooler and cloudy days.
MIDDLE USA - Cold and wet. Snow north, rain south
GREAT LAKES - Very cold to freezing weather. Stormy snowfall.
SOUTHEAST - A mixed week. Snow to the north, rain, south with sunny weather changing to rain. Temperatures are chilly to cold, variable.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007 Full

NORTHWEST - Mild and fair with Sunshine turning colder, a bit stormy with precipitation
SoCAL - Warmer than normal; cooling down later in the period
MIDDLE USA - Cold, turning very cold with snowstorm potential near the 6th
GREAT LAKES - Cold, wet and stormy. Rain/snow line is possible.
SOUTHEAST - Colder than average with rain, snow further north.

Thursday, January 11, 2007 Quarter

NORTHWEST - The weather will be extreme and variable.
SoCAL- Fair, sunny, increasing temperatures.
MIDDLE USA - Clouds. Warm and cold fronts merging. Rain south, snow north.
GREAT LAKES - Cold, wet precipitation. Snow/sleet.
SOUTHEAST - Very cold, snow/rain, north to south.

Thursday, January 18, 2007 New (SUNSPOT ACTIVITY Perigee 19th)

NORTHWEST - Mostly sunny and mild. Some marine influence is present.
SoCAL - Fair and mild with a few shots of colder air sliding in.
MIDDLE USA - Extreme fronts may cause severe weather conditions
GREAT LAKES - Extreme precipitation. Thundersnow in abundance.
SOUTHEAST - Stormy conditions; excessive rain perhaps tropical in nature.

Thursday, January 25, 2007 Quarter

NORTHWEST - Cold, blustery and wet weather this week.
SoCAL - Cooler temperatures with a strong marine influence/showers.
MIDDLE USA - Cold and sunny
GREAT LAKES - Windy, fair and dry
SOUTHEAST - Sunny, seasonable, dry.

Friday, February 2, 2007 Full

NORTHWEST - An extreme storm system is developing off the coast.
SoCAL - An unstable atmosphere is sure to produce showers, perhaps T-storms.
MIDDLE USA - Many warm/cold fronts will be crossing paths, creating turbulence, colder temperatures and storms.
GREAT LAKES - Sunny and cold. The storms in the west may not curve to this area.
SOUTHEAST - Mixed week. Wet and dry indications, perhaps a bit of snow in the northern southeast. Cold and dismal for several days.

Saturday, February 10, 2007 Quarter

NORTHWEST - Cold, wet and stormy.
SoCAL - A mixed event week. Mild and sunny, then rain, cooler.
MIDDLE USA - Possible warming trend. Precipitation later in the period will bring snow/north, rain south.
GREAT LAKES - More seasonable temperatures, sunny, fair.
SOUTHEAST - Fluctuating temperatures; mostly fair days.

Saturday, February 17, 2007 New (Perigee Feb 19)

NORTHWEST - Rain and snow is in the forecast with what could be a major storm for a good stretch of the west coast.
SoCAL - Cooler temperatures with a marine influence for fog, mist or showers
MIDDLE USA - Snow north and rain south as the fronts travel across the country
GREAT LAKES - Cold air brings snow later in the period.
SOUTHEAST - The storm tracks here but milder temperatures may produce rain/flooding concerns.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 Quarter

NORTHWEST - Yet another very wet period, and another brewing later on.
SoCAL - A drop in temperatures and a marine influence/showers affects part of this area.
MIDDLE USA - The fronts march along this region producing rain and snow to the very north.
GREAT LAKES - More than likely the storm fronts will slide to the south leaving this area with good weather for a change.
SOUTHEAST - Seismic rumblings are possible along with stormy weather.

Saturday, March 3, 2007 (Lunar Eclipse 13 degrees Virgo)

NORTHWEST - A change in the wintry pattern tries to come in - high pressure affects the weather and clear skies could be the result, for part of this week.
SoCAL - A freshening northwest wind comes in but with cooler temperatures
MIDDLE USA - Watch for a gusty snowstorm.
GREAT LAKES - There is a borderline high pressure trying to take over which would bring fair weather and blue skies for much of the period. The eastward moving storm could penetrate to some of the region.
SOUTHEAST - Prepare for rain early in the period, then high pressure may bring clear weather.

Sunday, March 11, 2007 Quarter

NORTHWEST - A gusty rain period may be followed by a warming trend.
SoCAL - The models are calling for dangerous conditions. It is too early for fire warnings. Perhaps this could be a very strong marine influence and mud slides may be the warning.
MIDDLE USA - A warming trend is in place and precipitation would be rain both north and south
SOUTHEAST - Windy thunderstorms and dismal grey skies. The weather here could make headlines.

Sunday, March 18, 2007 (Solar Eclipse 28 degrees Pisces **SuperMoon)

NORTHWEST - A mixed week of rain and sun. Seismic rumbles along the west coast.

SoCAL - Cloudy, cooler with a few sunny days.
MIDDLE USA - Early spring warmth, then right back to winter cold.
GREAT LAKES - I feels like spring, but not for long.
SOUTHEAST - A veritable buffet of weather systems. Rain, thunder, cold, frozen precipitation, gusty winds as the season shifts into the springtime mode.

It has been very mild and sunny for this last part of the fall season, (as forecasted) and the same weather will continue on for a while as winter approaches.

Winter 2006-07 is one of those seasons that will produce mixed weather events. Many sections of the country claim that the weather can change in a flash. However, it will be very true of our region this season. Much like fall, there are periods of perfectly wonderful days, bright sunshine, clear and dry air with breezes and strong winds as well. The precipitation is also mixed with rain, flooding and snow with thundersnow, a term that could be used frequently because of the frequent, almost hormonally inspired warm fronts. Mild to average temperatures overall with the variety of precipitation as noted in the weekly detail. The wind indications continue with mostly above average winds throughout most of the season, allowing the wind chill factor to come into play on the very cold wintry days.

Local Winds Summary for the Northeast, Winter, 2006-07

Dec 8 - 27 - Average winds gaining strength at the holidays.
Dec 27 - Jan 14, 2007 - Higher than average wind velocities
Jan 15 - Feb 1 - Continued windy with strong winds near the 28th of Jan.
Feb 2 - Feb 13 - Periods of very strong winds near Feb 2 and 9th
Feb 14 - Mar 7 - Average winds until the 24th where high winds could set a record
Mar 8 - Mar 17 - Strong winds near the end of the period.
Mar 18 - Apr 10 - Seasonal winds, stronger around the 21st of March

WEEKLY SUMMARIES for New England and the Northeast

Wednesday December 20-26, 2006 New (Perigee Dec. 28)

The moderate temperatures continue for a day or so changing to cold along with stormy precipitation. It looks like it will be cold enough to snow on the 24-25th. However, the models are indicating dry air and it would be a stretch to decide the accurate outcome. Out on a limb, I will say that Christmas Day will be fair and a chance of`` light snow cover on the ground.

Wednesday, December 27-Jan 2, 2007 Quarter (Perigee Dec. 28)

A mixed week. Windy and dry to begin the period, then rain tries to move in as temperatures rise. Colder air to the north will produce snow. New Year's eve should be mild and cloudy. Variable temperatures for the rest of the period with the colder air prevailing with possible snow near the first of the new year. .

Wednesday, January 3-10, 2007 Full

Cold, windy and dry. Rain or snow mix arrives near the 6th. Unseasonably warm, then back to cold temperatures keeps the roller coaster in action.

Thursday, January 11-17, 2007 Quarter

A shift to colder temperatures to open this period. A warming trend turns wet and a mix of rain and snow falls comes along near the 18th.

Thursday, January 18-24, 2007 New (Perigee Jan 22)

Cloudy, grey days. More snow near the 23rd. However, the storm system could be out to sea and may not venture close to the shore. The indications are for a major downfall and in the rain snow mix, flooding will be a problem should the storm come our way before the next quarter Moon.

Thursday, January 25-Feb 1, 2007 Quarter

A very wet storm is off the east coast and may retrograde back to the mainland, stall or move off very slowly. A sunny day could be rescued from the wet near the 29th.

Friday, February 2-9, 2007 Full

Wintertime is in full force. Freezing temperatures, windy and stormy conditions.

Saturday, February 10-16, 2007 Quarter (Valentine's Day 14th)

Cloudy and cool with precipitation and stormy conditions near the 14th, then conditions should be seasonable and clear for the rest of the week.

Saturday, February 17-23, 2007 New (*Perigee Feb. 19)

Mostly clouds and fluctuating temperatures. An unstable sky 23-24th may produce rain. The wind should pick up as the quarter Moon feeds in.

Saturday, February 24-Mar 2, 2007 Quarter

A mixed period starting with mild temperatures, dry, with a surprise warming trend coming in. Heavy rain may drench the area March 1-2 or if it reaches us by the end of the period. Strong wind warnings as well.

Saturday, March 3-10, 2007 (Lunar Eclipse 13 degrees Virgo)

Fair and breezy days with clouds moving in. High pressure and cold air drops down mid period. Precipitation is expected in the form of snow later in the week.

Sunday, March 11-18, 2007 Quarter

Another mixed week of influences. It looks to be cold and stormy which is appropriate for St. Patrick's day on the 17th, notorious for bringing early spring snow. March winds will prevail and the snow is definitely in the forecast for this period. Only a few clear days are expected.

Sunday, March 18-24, 2007 (Solar Eclipse 28 degrees Pisces **SuperMoon *Perigee Mar 19 )

The approach to the official start of spring may still have the punch of a winter storm. With any luck the storm will veer from our location. The models are calling for tropical influences but would bring us a thaw from the last period perhaps with fog or rain.

HINTS FOR SPRING
Here in New England the spring warmup will tend to be slow. Above average precipitation and a genial rise in temperature will be on schedule for late April when more dry conditions are expected.