Forecast: Colder and wetter winters for 2021-22

PORTLAND, Ore. (Portland Grandstand) – Forecasters gathered at the 29th annual winter weather forecasting conference on Saturday, October 23rd, predicted lower temperatures and more awareness for this winter compared to last year.

While most predicted one or more blizzards in Portland, none were convinced that any of them would be as bad as last February, which was the worst in 40 years. The snow was followed by freezing rain that toppled trees and lost power to 40 percent of PGE customers, causing the effects to last for weeks.

The Portland Tribune is a media partner of KOIN 6 News

Some of the forecasters predicted that snow cover in the Cascades could reach 140% of normal by the end of winter. They also believed that spring would not be as dry as last year, which would make the snowpack melt more slowly and ease the drought.

Chapter President and KOIN 6 meteorologist Steve Pierce notes that the La Niña conditions that contributed to last winter’s storm are still with us.

“Mother Nature always has a surprise up her sleeve, and this winter is likely to be no different,” said Pierce.

The free event is hosted each year by the Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. It was streamed live on the organization’s Facebook page, where it will be posted for replay. Social media shares are appreciated.

The line-up for this year’s event included:

• 2020/2021 Weather Report / Year In Review – Mark Nelsen, Oregon AMS Secretary / KPTV-12 Chief Meteorologist
• Headline Forecaster – Rebecca Muessle, Meteorologist, National Weather Service – Portland Office
• 2nd Forecaster – Pete Parsons, Meteorologist, Oregon Department of Forestry
• 3rd Forecaster – Kyle Dittmer, Hydrologist / Meteorologist – Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)
• 4. Forecaster – Tanis Leach, Climate Science Student / President, Oregon State University Student Chapter, AMS
• Final Forecaster – Charlie Phillips, Meteorologist, Puget Sound Energy
• Questions and Answers on Facebook Live – Moderated by the AMS Executive Council

The Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society was founded in 1947 and is the largest local chapter in the country with about 180 members. Its mission statement is: “The purpose of this society is to promote the professional ideals in meteorology and to promote the development, exchange and application of meteorological knowledge.”

The Oregon AMS Chapter usually hosts meetings from September through May that are free and open to all ages. The public is welcomed to become Chapter members for $ 10 a year at oregonams.wordpress.com/membership.

Meetings can always be found on his website.