Warmer and Snowier Winter Predicted for New England

By Parker Garlough

New England temperatures and precipitation rates will likely be above average this winter, according to a prediction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. They cite El Niño as a primary cause of this increase.

Boston, like most of the rest of New England, has a 40-50% chance of higher temperatures than usual this winter. In Maine, that number is closer to 60%.

As for precipitation, the Climate Prediction Center gives an estimate of a 33-40% chance of above-average levels.

The Climate Prediction Center does not predict whether the increased precipitation will be primarily snow, or whether it will be primarily rain like last year. AccuWeather, however, predicts significant snowfall in late January through February.