La Nina Conditions Expected to Continue - Dec 8th Update

La Nina conditions are expected to continue through the winter of 2011-2012.

During the past month below-normal sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) persisted across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The majority of the models predict that a weak or moderate La Nina will persist through the upcoming winter and peak later this month or January and weaken thereafter.

Although there has been a persistent ridge of high pressure over the west - thoughts are that by Christmas or the end of the month the northern storm track will become active with frequent storms activity. What this means for the Wasatch Ski Resorts is that normal or above precipitation is expected from the end of December-April. Most of the resorts have the capability of making snow to augment the lack from Mother Nature.

Information provide by the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service.