La Nina, anyone?

Ya know I was just thinking of starting a weather thread but looks like it's already here.

About a week ago a friend asked me if I had a prediction for the snow pack this year. Seems like last fall I told him it was going to be a good one and now he thinks I can do it again. There's one problem though; last year I used the "analog years" (see: www.ocs.orst.edu/winter_07-08/forecast.html ) that  George Taylor from the Oregon Climate Service wrote about, and compared those to the historical snowfall graphs on Amar's site to get my prediction, problem is that  Taylor has now retired and it seems won't be forcasting anymore.

So here's a question: anyone out there feel like tackling the information on the above link and figuring out what analog years there are for this year? As much as I like knowing the future it's too big (and out of my league) for me to try.

I guess I can just go back to "wait and see"

I will sacrifice my trekkers...although, on second thought, that may give Loki some reason to wreak havoc this winter. I guess I'll offer up my roommates.

This also may be an opportune time to tell anyone reading this that may be willing to sell some used rando set-up that I am a willing and desperatly searching buyer!

Analog year? Is that like nearest neighbours?

So here's a question: anyone out there feel like tackling the information on the above link and figuring out what analog years there are for this year? As much as I like knowing the future it's too big (and out of my league) for me to try.

Paging Dr. Andalkar! Dr. Andalkar, please report to the data crunching center ASAP!

Every year about this time the predictions come out and it is interesting to see how people approach the concepts.
I leave the science, data and measurements to those who actually paid attention in class.
La Nina-El Nino it does not matter to me, whatever happens, happens-Can't get to worked up about it.

The toothless weatherman tells me to watch the tree leaves for color and animals to see if they are getting ready for winter.
Of course that won't satisfy the number crunchers and statistic majors.
I add to his advice:
Don't wax your skis or organize your gear, just have it in my reach.
Don't pull out the snow shovel or cover the spickets until it is really necessary.
Watch snow tease us and melt away.
Scramble to put together your gear, so you forget your hat or glove and you can donate a bunch of p-tex on white covered rocks.
Have fun and don't get to wound up if it does not do what you want.

Based on nature observations, my best guess is that it is going to be like last year early snow, warming then later opening than normal. Maybe the spring will be warmer than last season as a potential new cycle approaches.
Wonder what the odds are in Vegas for that prediction?

I have a friend who uses the height of the Fireweed growing in his pasture to predict the ferocity of the coming winter.  According to him, it was tall last summer (07) but even taller this summer.  And when he says "ferocity" he means it in the best possible meaning. So I think we can all see the way to improve the snow fall is to water and fertilize your neighborhood Fireweed.