WINTER FORECAST

The predictions are in.  They almost all agree that we won't have a lot of precipitation (certainly not enough to break the drought) this winter. The ones that don't are the Elkmont persimmon tree and Farmers Almanac. The models are split between a mild or cold winter. 

However, there are some big weather drivers in north Asia that are beginning to signal lots of cold that some of the models aren't seeing. If these pan out, look for an early start to winter at the end of November and most of the month of December. Cold may lock in from Thanksgiving and into the New Year.  You have two or three weeks to finish those fall chores.

ACCUWEATHER

NOAA
*Warm and wet



OLD FARMER'S ALMANAC
*Winter will be much milder than normal, with snowfall mostly below normal and confined to the north parts of the deep south. The coldest periods will be in late December, early to mid-January, from late January into early February, and in late February. Rainfall will be below normal in the north and near to below normal in the south, with snowfall most likely across the north in late December and late January.

FARMER'S ALMANAC

WEATHERBELL:

WEATHERTRENDS: 

So, we have a very interesting Winter 2016-2017 in store! We generally think the major pattern shift in the U.S. will happen around Thanksgiving and especially December.
Yes we think many will have a white Christmas this year! 
ELKMONT PERSIMMON TREE:

Open the seed of a persimmon and it will either have a fork, spoon, or knife.  Look at the shape of the kernel inside. Look like lots of snow for the hilltop if local lore is right.

*Spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow will fall.  
*Fork-shaped, you can expect powdery, light snow and a mild winter. 
*Knife-shaped, expect to be "cut" by icy, cutting winds. 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE