The Early 2015-16 Winter Forecast for Our Region

Firsthand Weather is based in Norman, Oklahoma and produces medium- and long-range forecasts. Each July, they release their first long-range winter forecast for each region of the United States.

Here's what they say about our region on their website:

"This zone should end up with well-above average temperatures and less snow overall. Let me remind you that this forecast covers a 3-month period, so that does not mean that there won’t be any Arctic intrusions at all in this region. During many El Niño years, the northern jet stream usually stays north of this region, keeping most of the truly Arctic air farther north. Even though I do expect the overall pattern not be nearly as zonal (a west to east flow) as some of the stronger El Niño years in the past, it seems that most of the Arctic intrusions will occur east of this zone.Some bigger Arctic intrusions could occur later in the winter, especially closer to Great Lakes region. The bigger cities such as Chicago and the Twin Cities should end up with lower than average snowfall."

They had me at "well-above average temperatures and less snow overall."