Don't expect much snow this winter ...

The leaves are finally falling off the trees and cooler weather is settling in across the region. But if you were looking forward to a lot of snow this year, you’re going to be disappointed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its annual winter weather forecast for the DMV, and major blizzards aren’t on the menu.

Just like last year, the weather will be impacted by La Niña, a weather event that pushes warm water across the equator resulting in warmer winter temperatures in the Northeast. Those warmer temps will put a damper on snowfall; producing mostly wintry mixes of rain, sleet, and ice instead.

Last year, the region had a pretty mild winter with the exception of a streak of polar temperatures in the month of February. Cold weather crippled the entire nation, causing a power grid failure in Texas that left people without power for days. According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, the price of heating oil and natural gas could go up by more than 30% this winter. Warmer temperatures in the region could result in significant savings for residents.

Courtesy of NOAA

Just because heavy winter snowstorms are unlikely, it doesn’t mean the region won’t get a storm or two. NOAA predicts the mid-Atlantic has a 50/50 chance of receiving higher than normal precipitation. The exception is Garrett County in Northwestern Maryland, where precipitation levels are expected to be 30 to 40% higher this winter. Last year's snowfall totals were around 5 inches and aren’t expected to go much higher for the 2021-2022 season.

The rest of the country won’t fare as well. La Niña conditions will exasperate drought in the west, while portions of the Northwest, Rockies, Great Lakes, and the Upper Mississippi Basin are expected to get higher than normal snowfall amounts.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.