VA Snow Chances Hurt By Warm, Dry Start To February: Weather Outlook

VIRGINIA — February is expected to be warmer and drier than usual in Virginia, according to a new forecast published Wednesday by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2.

A large swath of the country extending from Idaho into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic is expected to see above-average temperatures to start the month. This includes Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New England region.

The mid-Atlantic states also expect to see slightly below-average precipitation in February, the report said, while much of the Midwest, including the Chicago area expects to see far below-average precipitation.

However, the back half of the month could be cooler than the start of the month, according to Dr. Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2.

"Swings in temperature, both cold and warm, could zero out when you take the month as a whole," the Weather Channel said.

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The first two weeks of February are set to continue with above average temperatures through the middle of the month, according to the National Climate Prediction Center.

In the West, much of California is expected to see slightly below-average temperatures, with Southern California — including the Los Angeles metro — expected to see temperatures well below average.

The Southwest could see more snow than usual, as well.

“Snowier-than-average conditions in California and parts of the Southwest are expected in strong El Niño winters like we’ve seen this year,” the report said.

The Southeast was also expected to see a cooler-than-usual February, with slightly above-average precipitation.

Additionally, much of the central United States, including the Midwest and Plains, are also expected to see warmer-than-average temperatures next month, the report said.

“Warmer-than-average temperatures are most likely in the Midwest, Plains: An area from far eastern Montana to northern Michigan has the highest likelihood of far-above-average temperatures this February,” the report said, noting that the last half of the month could see temperatures cool off.

Others such as New Jersey are bracing for a possible major snowstorm in the back-half of February.

“February is the most likely month for our region to get a major snowstorm, so stay tuned,” the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly Station in New Jersey said.

The Baltimore-DC office of the NWS has not yet issued its long-range prediction for February weather.