It could be a 20 degree day with a foot-and-a-half of snow on the ground and no school due to icy road conditions. Or it could be a 30 or 40 degree day with no snow, not even ice, and a chilly rain shower. It is an unpredictable, and ever-changing force. A force that many New Yorkers usually just put up with: New York’s weather.

New York usually has some pretty unpredictable weather. Winter however, is even more unpredictable. Some winters people could get snowed in with two or three feet of snow outside. By the next day, people wouldn’t have to worry about shoveling an inch of snow.

This winter could prove to be slightly snowier than usual. To find out, we asked Earth Science teacher, Mrs. Izzo, who is notorious for her ability to predict the next snow day. Mrs. Izzo explained, “This year, El Niño has moved slightly northward, meaning this winter will be warmer. However, due to jet streams that have dipped south, we might see a little more lake effect snow.” Mrs. Izzo continued, “Although, not as much snow as in Buffalo recently, probably only a few more inches.”

So for all those who originally thought that there was an increased chance of a snow day, no such luck. In a parting comment we asked Mrs. Izzo if we might see more Nor’easters this winter. She replied, “Maybe a Nor’easter or two more but not a large amount.”

The forecast for this winter, straight from Mrs. Izzo, says that this winter will merely be an average New York winter with a slightly higher chance of more snow. More snow or not, don’t forget to wear a hat!