How Is Winter 2022-23 Shaping Up In WI? What Long Range Forecasts Say

WISCONSIN — A month has passed since the beginning of meteorological winter, and hardly a week has passed since the solstice. Now that winter is well underway in Wisconsin, what can we expect for the next few months?

The answer depends on which long-range forecast you trust the most, and there are at least half a dozen to select from. In general, though, meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, AccuWeather, The Weather Channel and WeatherBell Analytics seem to agree on one thing:

A La Niña weather pattern is back for a third winter, keeping things drier and warmer in the southern part of the U.S. while much of the north and midwest could see stormier-than-usual conditions.

The Farmers’ Almanac and rival publication, The Old Farmer’s Almanac, also release forecasts, though those predictions are generally not as well regarded as those from weather services and companies.

Here’s what the six forecasts say about winter in Wisconsin's region:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Much of Wisconsin was forecast with around a 40 percent chance of above-average precipitation and a 33-40 percent chance of below-average temperatures.

AccuWeather: Much of the Midwest was expected to experience some winter previews headed into the season as cold air dives down from Canada, but the biggest blasts of cold air were expected to come later in winter. As for snowfall, much of Wisconsin can expect average snowfall.

The Weather Channel: Much of the Midwest including Wisconsin can expect temperatures near the average this winter.

WeatherBell Analytics: Much of Wisconsin and the surrounding region can expect temperatures to be between 1-3 degrees colder than average. As for snowfall, the region including Wisconsin can expect around 125 percent of the average. The company forecast parts of the west coast to only see around 75 percent of the average snowfall.

The Farmers’ Almanac: People in North Central states will see their fair share of storms which should mean plenty of snow for winter enthusiasts.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Temperatures are set to be colder than normal across much of the country from the East Coast to the Rockies, with greater than normal snowfall expected in the lower Great Lakes.