Indianapolis 2020-2021 Winter Weather Outlook
By: Andrew McCurdy
Unlike last Winter, I expect more snow and better chances at cold shots. We are in a La Nina Winter. For our area, you will want a Neutral to Slight La Nina for big cold and snow, but we have a strong La Nina. This doesn't mean a warm and snowless winter, but definitely involves a track of above average precip and good chances for cold outbreaks. I do anticipate the worst of winter to stay up North in the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin areas seeing potentially historic cold outbreaks from the Polar Vortex. Here in Indiana we should get "shots" at polar air, so I don't anticipate anything like the 2014 Winter, but definitely a good year for "Winter Weather Weenies" especially compared to the last few years.
OUTLOOK
TEMPERATURE:
Average to Slightly Above Average Temps overall (Dec-Feb). Coldest part of winter will likely kick in over the second half of the season. So I expect December and maybe part of January to be Warmer than average with below average precip (including snow). Then to end January through March I expect slightly below average temps with above average Precip (including snowfall).
PRECIPITATION:
Above Average. Slightly Above Average to Above Average Snowfall. Above Average Rainfall. I predict we get 25"-30" of snow possibly more if we cash in a couple big storms.
Average La Nina Winter
NOAA's Official Winter Outlook
