Mississippi winter weather forecast: There’s something for everyone to dislike

‘It does not imply you will not have chilly climate. It does not imply you will not have extremes. La Niña seasons are recognized for chilly climate occasions.’

Fall is definitely within the air. Mississippi is already experiencing nights within the 50s and days with temperatures within the 70s and winter is simply across the nook.

Nevertheless, when you’re trying ahead to a white Christmas, constructing snowmen and sledding down a hillside, this winter could also be a letdown. Alternatively, when you’re a type of that the considered chilly climate sends chills down your backbone, you in all probability will not be completely happy both as a result of we’ll nonetheless see a few of that.

Mix that with an elevated threat of extreme climate in late winter into spring and there is one thing for everybody to dislike.

In a nutshell, anticipate a Mississippi winter, y’all.

One other La Niña winter climate sample

“We’re in a La Niña climate sample and we have been in a single for shut to a few years now,” mentioned Eric Carpenter, senior meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service in Jackson. “With that sample we will have a hotter climate sample and drier winter on common.

“It has to do with the water temperatures within the central and Japanese Pacific Ocean. It is one of many strongest influences on our climate sample within the winter.”

Carpenter defined that when temperatures are beneath regular in these elements of the Pacific Ocean, the colder waters push the jet stream northward making a colder, wetter winter within the northern U.S. and a hotter, drier winter within the South.

Some could also be scratching their heads at this level. Carpenter mentioned we have been in a La Niña climate sample for nearly three years. That appears plausible for the 2021-22 winter. Whether it is remembered for something associated to climate, it will doubtless be the spring-like temperatures skilled following Christmas.

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Brutally chilly climate occasion

However what in regards to the winter of 2020-21? Mississippi suffered brutally chilly, record-low temperatures, sleet, freezing rain and snow in Feb. 2021. Interstates turned impassible, hundreds had been with out energy and tree limbs snapped like toothpicks.

“When folks assume again to that winter, that is what folks consider,” Carpenter mentioned. “Persons are positively going to keep in mind that stuff somewhat than the routine 50-degree day.”

Whereas that occasion was each historic and memorable, it wasn’t consultant of general temperatures.

“These are strictly averages,” Carpenter mentioned. “We’re averaging issues out over the winter.

“It does not imply you will not have chilly climate. It does not imply you will not have extremes. La Niña seasons are recognized for chilly climate occasions. You possibly can nonetheless get a giant chilly outbreak. You have to be ready. We are inclined to get per week or two of chilly climate.”

So, for winter-lovers, it might not be a complete bust.

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Flash floods and tornadoes

And whereas we’re anticipated to have a drier-than-average winter, once more, it is a mean. The South might have intervals of heavy precipitation.

“It does not imply you will not have flash flooding,” Carpenter mentioned.

Then there’s extreme climate and Mississippi is not any stranger to it. In March, the Nationwide Climate Service confirmed 48 tornadoes in Mississippi over a 2-week interval. At the very least 27 tornadoes hit Mississippi on March 22 alone.

Sadly, that will also be part of the La Niña sample.

“With the extreme climate, it tends to be extra distinguished with the La Niña patterns,” Carpenter mentioned. “It tends to be extra extreme in late winter and into spring.”

Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.