We’re all no strangers to snow, but this year in particular has had a large surplus of it. Why is the snow falling so heavily this year, and why is it so cold? If we look deeply, we can find that the answer to our snowfall and freezing temperatures is due to our La Niña year.
A La Niña year occurs around every 4 years, bringing in cool water to the United States, making the eastern and midwestern parts of the United States very cold, including Ohio. However, this year especially, we have experienced a lot of cold, and with that, a lot of snow that isn’t melting.
La Niña’s counterpart, El Niño, is the most common year we have, giving us a longer warmth and a shorter cold season. This year, however, we can expect to see more winter snowstorms, though it all depends on La Niña’s strength and timing this year.
Temperatures across Ohio, and the states close to us, will tend to be below average, with longer cold waves. The weather has been seen by very cold days, then milder days following. This will probably last multiple months as La Niña years typically prolong winter. Additionally, cities in our state, like Cleveland or Toledo, are likely to experience more frequent snowfall, while the southern parts of Ohio may get more mild conditions.
Looking ahead to this spring, La Niña will still have lingering effects. Of course, we are expected for a cooler spring than usual. There is a good chance for March and April to still show signs of frost on the ground before you go to school in the morning. Unfortunately for summer lovers, this means that we are projected to have to wait a long time for our warm weather conditions to appear. On the bright side, by late spring we are probably going to get our warm weather back, and we can leave all of the snow we are facing right now in the past.
While we are all familiar with snow and cold weather, it is still important to be safe in these conditions. It is crucial to take extra precautions when it comes to the La Niña year. Make sure you’re keeping up with our local weather reports and keeping an eye out for possible school closings and delays. Letting your car warm up before you drive it, and keeping an extra pair of gloves and a coat in your car are also great ways to ensure safety in a La Niña year in Ohio.
As we gear up for the cool weather with our shovels and lots of patience, it’s safe to say we can tackle the cold this year head-on. Make sure to stay safe this winter and spring, no matter what weather we get for the rest of the year.
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