While it remains impossible to get into specifics, we can identify certain drivers that will influence our long-range weather. One of those factors includes ocean temperatures in the equator regions of the pacific ocean. Water temperatures in this area remain cooler than normal. This acts to cool the air above it and impact the jet stream pattern. This phenomenon will typically create an active and colder winter across the northern tier of states, with warm and dry weather along the gulf coast.

It would seem Mother Nature is right on cue in delivering the first real taste of fall just in time for the fall equinox. The forecast is for below-normal temperatures for late September, but what about the rest of the season? Looking over recent weather trends can be valuable to predict the future. The fall months have seen a consistent warming trend over the past several decades, with September seeing a jump of almost 4° in the last 30 years.

Groundhog Day means Punxsutawney Phil makes his grand appearance to see whether spring is right around the corner, or six more harsh weeks of winter are ahead. The rodent has predicted the weather for the past 135 years, but his yearly prediction is only accurate about 38% of the time, meaning you are better off flipping a coin. His shadow has been seen about 80% of those years, meaning the groundhog will return to its burrow with six more weeks of winter.

The oceans play a major role in weather as nearly three-fourths of our planet is covered with water. Long-range forecasts in the winter are strongly influenced by the state of ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. Warmer than normal ocean temperatures represent an El Niño, while colder waters indicate a La Nina pattern. The stronger the anomalies, the more it impacts the weather. 

Area farmers are seeing a bumper crop thanks to timely rains throughout the summer. Meteorologist Nathan Kitchens has a look at the crop condi…