The last two weeks of the semester should bring some of the coldest weather students and residents have seen this season, but meteorologists said this winter should be a milder one in comparison to previous years.
“This wave is just about as cold as it will get,” said William Marino, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Grand Rapids. “Then in two weeks it should start to warm up.”
Normally, the first inch of snow is recorded around Nov. 20, and by Dec. 10, residents typically tend to see the first three inches, Marino said. Despite the current lack of snowfall, he said the next two weeks will be colder than residents have seen so far, which could mean a bit of snow.
The relatively warmer winter can be attributed to El Nino, said Jeffrey Andresen, associate professor of geography.
“This winter will be milder and dryer in Michigan and the Great Lakes region, because an El Nino event has occurred,” he said.
He said although the event happens thousands of miles away, the northern shift in the wind currents affects our weather patterns.
The average temperature for this winter should be around 25 degrees, which is about a degree warmer than normal, he said.
Marino said although the temperatures will be slightly higher than previous years, there is no direct relationship to the amount of snowfall received. He said he expects there to be less snowfall this winter.
“You can’t say just because it’s warmer you won’t get a lot of snow or cold,” he said.
Accounting sophomore Mike Graham said he’s been snowboarding since elementary school and although he’ll be disappointed if there isn’t a lot of snow, above-average temperatures could be beneficial.
“There are positives and negatives to no snow,” he said. “If there isn’t (snow) I won’t get to go snowboarding, but it won’t be as bad walking to class. I live kind of far off campus.”
Andresen said another benefit to warmer weather is extra money in everyone’s wallets.
“Our heating bills will be less because we don’t have to use as much, which means more money in your pocket,” he said. “It’s good news, unless you run a ski resort.”
Human biology freshman Isabel Hurden said her outdoor skiing activities won’t be impacted much because lodges always can make artificial snow. Less snowfall could mean an easier walk for students on the way to class.
“People will be happy because it’ll be easier to get around campus without having to trudge through snow,” she said. “It’ll be good for riding my bike.”
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