Plowing ahead? Below-average snow predicted this winter

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Below average snow is expected for Wisconsin this winter. That’s according to the winter outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It means Wisconsin isn’t likely to see much relief from the drought of 2012.

The Capital Times reports NOAA did warn it was harder to predict than usual because a critical weather system, El Nino, didn’t develop in the Pacific.

But it noted that odds favor drier than average conditions in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota and the Pacific Northwest. Wetter than average conditions are expected in the Gulf Coast states.

As far as temperature, the agency says Wisconsin and the Midwest fall in a category where’s there’s equal chance for above normal, near normal or below normal temperatures.

Information from: The Capital Times, http://www.madison.com/tct