Weather
Winter Weather Forecast For Barnstable: See Daily Predictions
AccuWeather says the return of a La Niña cycle could affect how much snow Barnstable receives and the severity of the polar vortex.

BARNSTABLE, MA — With the official start of the 2021-22 winter a little more than two months away, some residents of Barnstable may be eager for the colder weather to arrive to plan some exciting, wintry fun.
Specific, long-term weather predictions can help with planning outdoor activities best suited for the cooler temps. To help you plan ahead, the private weather company AccuWeather has released its 2021 winter weather forecast.
Daily forecasts for Barnstable are listed through the end of December. After that, AccuWeather lists the historical average temperature for the rest of the winter.
Find out what's happening in Barnstable-Hyannisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to AccuWeather, Barnstable could see its first snowfall of the season on Dec. 7, with a 57 percent chance of precipitation. Thankfully, it looks like it won't be enough to need to take out the shovels. The snowfall prediction is less than a quarter inch, so just enjoy its beauty without worrying about the driveway.
For now, there's just one other day, where snow is predicted in December, though remember this is a long-range forecast, so things can change quickly. That's on Dec. 15, when Barnstable could see a mix of rain and snow.
Find out what's happening in Barnstable-Hyannisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Regionally, the Northeast is expected to its first wintry, cold chills in November. Areas closer to the coast, like Boston, New York City, Providence and the rest of the Interstate-95 corridor, could also get the chance of early-season cold and snow. But according to AccuWeather, it shouldn't be as cold or as snowy as across areas further inland.
Nationally, AccuWeather predicts an eventful winter similar to the 2020-21 season, which brought record-breaking snowfall and blackouts to some parts of the country.
Meteorologists also expect the return of La Niña, a weather phenomenon that occurs when the water near the equator of the Pacific Ocean is cooler than average. It will shape part of the overall weather patterns this winter, weather experts said.
The upcoming La Niña will be weaker than the one experienced last winter, in turn, opening up the door for other elements to factor into the winter forecast — especially during the second half of the season.
This year, the polar vortex may also be weaker, according to AccuWeather.
This could result in colder air from the Arctic to slide southward into the U.S. before the official start of meteorological winter, which is on Dec. 1. The first official astronomical day of winter arrives on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Winter could pound the Northeast with a vengeance starting in mid-December before potentially intensifying in January, which could include a heightened risk for nor'easters and, yes, snowstorms at the tail end of the season.
Meanwhile, the winter weather will take its time arriving in the Southeast, with only mild temps in some place throughout December. Southerners, however, could be in store for a big dip in the temperature with the arrival of 2022, AccuWeather reports. Spells of rain and thunderstorms are expected so keep the rain gear handy.
In the Pacific Northwest, a wet winter is anticipated with plenty of snow in the mountains, AccuWeather reports. The early arrival of the winter storms will also spell an end to the active wildfire season for the region as rain and snow help to douse any flames.
In the Southwest, meteorologists predict that the lack of early-season precipitation will allow the ongoing wildfire season to extend all the way into December, an unusually late end to the season. As we move to January, the prospects for rain will increase for California - good news for areas of the state where wildfires have raged.
To see how the weather is shaping up for the remainder of the country, click here.
Are you ready for the upcoming winter season? Tell us your plans in the comments section below.
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