![]() ![]() Cold-air outbreaks and snow storms will likely occur at times this winter. According to CPC deputy director Mike Halpert at the time of the outlook, "A strong El Niño is in place and should exert a strong influence over our weather this winter" and "While temperature and precipitation impacts associated with El Niño are favored, El Niño is not the only player. The presence of a strong El Niño event was expected to affect weather and climate patterns by influencing the position of the Pacific jet stream. On October 15, 2015, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center issued its U.S. Since both definitions span the calendar year, it is possible to have a winter storm in two different years. Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures. Both definitions involve a period of approximately three months, with some variability. Based on the meteorological definition, the first day of winter is December 1 and the last day February 29. Based on the astronomical definition, winter begins at the winter solstice, which in 2015 occurred late on December 21, and ends at the March equinox, which in 2016 occurred on March 20. While there is no well-agreed-upon date used to indicate the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two definitions of winter which may be used. Several other smaller snow events affected the Northeast as well, but for the most part the heaviest snowstorms and ice stayed out further west, such as a severe blizzard in western Texas in late December (producing a tornado outbreak as well), and a major late-season snowstorm in Colorado in mid-April. The main event of the winter season, by far and large, was when a crippling and historic blizzard struck the Northeastern United States in late January, dumping up to 3 feet (36 in 91 cm) of snow in and around the metropolitan areas. However, despite the warmth, significant weather systems still occurred, including a snowstorm and flash flooding in Texas at the end of December and a large tornado outbreak at the end of February. This was mainly due to a strong El Niño, which caused generally warmer-than-average conditions. The 2015–16 North American winter was not as frigid across North America and the United States (especially the East Coast) as compared to the 2013––15 winters. 2015–16 UK and Ireland windstorm season. ![]() Satellite image of a historic blizzard bearing down on the Northeastern United States on January 22
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