Lafayette’s Winter Weather Outlook 2014-2015

Chances are we won't forget last winter in Acadiana anytime soon. Not only did we have falling frozen precipitation and bridges ice over, we actually had the road beds freeze over. That's unheard of this far south. It's supposed to get cold but we don't usually see frozen roads.  So what does Old Man Winter have up is icy sleeve for us this year?

Oddly enough the same atmospheric conditions that kept the tropical season quiet for the Gulf of Mexico just might be the biggest player in Acadiana's Winter Weather Outlook. El Nino, which is a condition that involves above average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean will be the main moisture provider for the winter months.

While El Nino conditions have not yet taken hold in the Pacific, forecasters are very confident that the phenomenon will occur. That means wetter than normal conditions for much of the southwestern United States including Texas. This abundant moisture should spill over into Louisiana as well.

Temperatures across the region, according to the National Weather Service office in Lake Charles should be cooler than normal. Part of those cooler temperatures will be caused by the cloud cover expected with more precipitation. Does that mean a better probability for frozen precipitation in Acadiana this winter? Probably not.

The reason for that observation is that the western sections of the  country should be warmer than average. Those warmer temperatures influenced again my El Nino could take some of the punch out of an Alberta Clipper or Blue Norther before it hits Acadiana.

The Old Farmer's Almanac is seeing things a little differently than the Weather Service. While the publication agrees that temperatures will be cooler. The Old Farmer's Almanac is suggesting significantly colder weather especially for December and January. It also suggests that precipitation will be less than average. The Old Farmer's Almanac prediction says the the probability of snow in Acadiana this Winter is very small. However, portions of North Louisiana could be under the gun in late December and early January.