More weather extremes in 2023
Randy Mann.
JAKE PARRISH/Press
Thanks, at least in part, to the warm water phenomenon, El Niño, many residents across the U.S. were disappointed with the lack of snow on Christmas Day. As of Dec. 22, the National Weather Service showed that approximately 13% of the U.S., not including Alaska or Hawaii, had snow on the ground. If we don’t see any additional snowfall Dec. 25, this would be the least amount of snow on the ground across the country over the last 20 years. The areas favorable for snow-covered ground are mainly across the Rockies, the High Plains and the higher mountains in the West and Northeast.
As of this weekend, there is the possibility of some snow in the lower elevations Monday night and Tuesday. The rest of the week across the Inland Northwest is expected to be unsettled with the chance of rain or snow. The early portion of 2024 will continue the threat of additional storms moving in from the Pacific Ocean. However, it still looks like the air mass will continue to be too mild for any significant snowfall in the lower elevations.
Despite the milder conditions, there’s still a chance that we’ll receive some of that colder air from the north for a period of snow across Coeur d’Alene and other parts of the Inland Northwest, especially around the full moon cycles at the end of January and February. It’s always a “temperature thing” when it comes to snow in the lower elevations and a few degrees can make all the difference.
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