If I remember right, I think it was John Dee who said a few years back that the longer we go into Fall with no real cold and snow the better chance we will have of a good cold snap hitting in Dec and lasting for a while. Again, I don't remember exactly what, who, or how he said it but he made it sound like if winter comes to early it could and normally poops out around the holidays when everyone will want to be up north ridding. Maybe the lack of snow that we are having in lower MI this Fall will be good in a few weeks when we really want the snow. Anyone have any thoughts? On a side note, one of the weather web sites I go to is calling for a possible cold snap that would put us into real winter weather in mid Dec. I know, a long way out but have any of you guys heard anything about a pattern change to cold and snow? I'm kinda a weather geek and would enjoy hearing everyone's thoughts about the up coming winter season. think snow guys, just not yet.

I hope you're right.

It seems like it always warms up and rains from Christmas to the New Year.

wish i didnt agree

He has his seasonal outlook saying the elnino is gonna hurt the season this year.

i heard elnino is gonna do the opposite and give us crazy snow

That's because I'm always off work and looking forward to riding!

Cold summer = warm winter and a shorter riding season.

Dam Elnino

According to the almanac, we're supposed to have a cold and hard winter. Hopefully the almanac is more accurate

The weather man can't even predict what is gonna happen a week out let alone this snowmobile season. If you have a northwest wind and 20's we will get snow in the les areas. Thats where the best trails are anyways.Grand Marais will have snow no matter what! I hope it dosen't hit 40 though this winter.

Even if we get a cold snap and snow, it has to be cold for a while to freeze things up first or the riding wont' be that good anyways. Last year we were riding in central mi, the first weekend of december unusual! But the winter didn't last long, no great spring rides. The two previous years, the winter started out warm and finished up good. At least that's how I remember it. All we can do is pray to the snow gods!

Probably the biggest collection of professional meteorologists and weather weenies can be found on the "forecasting and discussion" forums at easternuswx.com. Lots of great info on upcoming weather events across the Great Lakes and NE. Good reading if you're bored and interested in the weather.

The best snow storms seem to come out of the south. When they are warning about a sytem coming out of gulf of mexico heading our way, those seem to DUMP over a foot snow in a night. The systems moving across the lake keeps the fresh pow down.

Unfortunately this is how I remember it also. We haven't had a summer this cold ever since I remember. Our average temp. for the summer was 65! All this week it's been in the 50's. I sure hope it turns around and fast! We need the cold to freeze the ground before we get too much snow on it.

x2 i hate soft base. YUCK

I'm no expert but do have my opinions. Think this winter and next few to follow will b great for snow. The sun has been very inactive. Hasn't been this inactive since the "little ice age". Looks to me like global warming will have to wait. Back in 2000, 2001 the sun was pumpin out 20 to 50 huge sunspots daily. Those r some of the warmest winters i can remember. Got so frustrated waiting for snow , it made a guy just want to sell thier sled. Think snow, Pete

thanks for the positivity!

That's what keeps my hopes up. All the evidence pointing to us rolling into a "ice age" going by earths passed cycles. I trust a earth cycle more than people watching blinking monitors and taking there best stab at long term predictions.

None the less, a elnino is a elnino.

True. elnino changes the weather pattern for sure. We won't see a good comparison until the elnino cools. But last year was elnino and the jet stream and weather pattern seamed ,for the most part, more "old fashion". IMO, the current elnino is being caused by a build up of heat, from years of an active solar cycle, being released by under water volcanos, heating the oceans, and putting more moisture+ the cold= snow into the air. There's my stab at it. How's that for a theory? ,Pete

X2, I'm on there pretty much every night from late Fall on. some very good explanations on what our winter might turn out being like. also accuweather.com has a really good forums page. weather and snowmobiling go hand and hand, with out the weather we like, no snowmobiling.