As we brace for our first freezing temperatures of the season, many are wondering if Mother Nature will deliver a harsh winter this year. Every year is different, but we can use some clues from what is happening now to help us predict what the winter will bring.
Two winters ago, snow and ice shut down Atlanta for nearly a week. Last year, there really wasn't a winter.
"Like last year, we had such a nice winter, that I just figure we're going to have a bad one this year," said Melissa Griggs.
Plenty of people are wondering, or even making their own guesses, as to what this winter will hold in store.
By studying animal fur, Carol Marot says our winter will be a cold one. Old wives tales abound. Examples are observing how bushy the squirrels' tails are, or how many acorns they are collecting.
Have you heard this one? Christy Renea posted on FOX 5 Storm Team meteorologist Joanne Feldman's page: "Cut a persimmon in half, if the seeds are shaped like a spoon it will be a cold winter. And you'll be shoveling plenty of snow!"
Old wives tales aside, what can our area expect? Climate models and monitoring patterns like El Nino can give us an idea.
El Nino and La Nina are two of the most reliable long-range weather predictors. El Nino is when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator are warmer than normal. This pushes the southern branch of the jet stream across the southern United States and results in a more active storm track. So far, El Nino has been a no-show!
That makes this year's winter outlook a little more uncertain than usual. In light of this, NOAA predicts an equal chance of warmer than average or cooler than average conditions. As for precipitation, we get a wetter than average winter for areas south of Atlanta, but not for the rest of us.
So with nothing obvious to push us to a very mild winter or a harsh one, let's assume it is simply average. So, what does that look like?
Flurries usually make an appearance by December, if not sooner. We experience a thaw, a period of warmer than average temperatures during the first or second week of January. Then,at least one light measurable snow, usually in January or February.
Based on this, we should see more of a winter than last year but if we don't, some people won't mind at all.
"No, because I don't have to shovel sunshine," said Linda Callahan.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
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Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
