Are we in for a cold winter? (transplants, living in)

[nmnita]

I am freezing just thinking about the temps this coming week and do not remember many if any early Nov nights in the teens. Is this a sign of an early and colder winter than normal? I know, the following week is supposed to be back to normal, but it seems like we just went from above normal early fall to below normal mid fall? I am not complaining BTW, I love winter but I am not excited about winter before Thanksgiving.

[Hollynla]

I think we are in for a colder than average winter mostly due to the fact that we are in a solar minimum. That will make the seasons more extreme (hotter in summer, colder in winter). This solar minimum should last several years and may get more extreme over the next 5 years. It was 15 f this morning on November 10th.

[Snaple4]

Who knows. I keep getting told we will have one but I hear that every year. I will tell you that I am loading up on firewood (mainly b/c propane heat costs a lot in this house)... Sadly a lot of it won't be ready for a year or more.... Guess I get to burn greenish wood with my seasoned wood and clean the pipe every month or so :-(

[duke944]

I sure hope it's not as cold as last winter, there were several days in the single digits and lots of days in the teens that I honestly didn't expect moving to Arkansas. I lived in Lawrence kansas for several years a few decades ago and I don't remember it being nearly as cold, which doesn't make much sense since it's 200 miles north.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by duke944

I sure hope it's not as cold as last winter, there were several days in the single digits and lots of days in the teens that I honestly didn't expect moving to Arkansas. I lived in Lawrence kansas for several years a few decades ago and I don't remember it being nearly as cold, which doesn't make much sense since it's 200 miles north.

gee and we didn't think the winter was bad at all last year.Yes, we had some miserably cold days and nights but have seen much worse in other years and with very little moisture we escaped the snow and ice pretty much. I will say, winter was very long last season. That was why it seemed we would never get our garden in and started. We lost tomato plants a couple of times

[duke944]

So far this November is colder than last November, and theres a bit of snow today. All the neighbors remarked that last winter was more harsh than usual, but I think this year will be even more harsh. This is pretty disappointing for me, Ive spent most of my life living in Minnesota and Colorado and was really done with harsh winters, which I loathe. Whoever thinks of this part of Ar as a southern winter climate like I did before moving here is very mistaken, it's midwest all the way.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by duke944

So far this November is colder than last November, and theres a bit of snow today. All the neighbors remarked that last winter was more harsh than usual, but I think this year will be even more harsh. This is pretty disappointing for me, Ive spent most of my life living in Minnesota and Colorado and was really done with harsh winters, which I loathe. Whoever thinks of this part of Ar as a southern winter climate like I did before moving here is very mistaken, it's midwest all the way.

I know I am in a minority here but I consider NWA mid west period. OK we fought for the south and some people do have an southern accent but to me, NWA particularly is more mid west period. I guess it is safe to say, it is a mixture of both

I am thinking cold winter as well but check the weather for the next few weeks, after this cold snap we are back to the normal 50s and 60s. Until a few nights ago, our nights were way above normal: too warm for me. I picked our last cherry tomatoes on Friday. They are now ripening in the window Since then everything has turned brown and all plants are ugly but the trees are sure pretty now: covered with a nice light snow. I am guessing we have an inch or maybe a little more

[sub]

Except for the transplants, NWA isn't remotely midwestern. It's just regular upper south culturally and geographically. I've never seen much there that resembles the midwest except for stuff you see in anywhere America.
Weather wise, last winter wasn't anything really. I spent some time up in Minnesota and Wisconsin last year, and the difference is quite stark. They didn't exacyly have record breaking winters either if I recall. Even mid-Missouri and Iowa are very different.
This year, it's too early to say, but it might be shaping up to be a little cooler. Probably not a bad thing.

[duke944]

"Except for the transplants" well, there are a hell of a lot of transplants here.

"This year, it's too early to say, but it might be shaping up to be a little cooler. Probably not a bad thing." Speak for yourself, I hate the cold. At least it doesn't snow here much (hope I didn't speak too soon....)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by duke944

"Except for the transplants" well, there are a hell of a lot of transplants here.

"This year, it's too early to say, but it might be shaping up to be a little cooler. Probably not a bad thing." Speak for yourself, I hate the cold. At least it doesn't snow here much (hope I didn't speak too soon....)

this will be our 11th winter here ans we have only had about 3 that really dumped the snow and ice. One was about 2011, one was 2009 but that one was short lived and I can't remember the 3rd one but I am thinking it was 2010 maybe or 2012.