The hotter the summer, the colder and snowier the winter!

[krysof]

It may be an opinion, but I think it's true. Many occasions stated this. So if you want an extremely snowy winter, hope for an intense summer.

[Planetsnow]

THe exception that I can think of is the winter of 1988-1989, which followed a record breaking 1988 hot summer. That winter was mild and rainy in the East.

[cctxhurricanewatcher]

Depends where you live probably. We had a cooler than normal Summer in 2004 due to above normal moisture . We might have had one day at or above 100 where we usually have at least 30-60.

But yes, we have been snowier than normal here in south Texas! Eat your heart out DFW area.

[vbhoutex]

It may be an opinion, but I think it's true. Many occasions stated this. So if you want an extremely snowy winter, hope for an intense summer.

Gee I wish it were true!!!! We would have some incredible snow events in Houston if it was. Last time we had a long string of 100's here during the summer we had a very mild winter. This past summer was milder than usual and we are having a normal to maybe a little below normal on average winter so far with our usual January warm up(at least in Houston). Obviously areas to our South and West have had an incredibly unusual winter so far.

[donsutherland1]

Krysof,

If one is referring to the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic regions, a hot summer does not necessarily translate into a cold and/or snowy winter. In fact, much above normal snowfall (30" or more) is less likely in winters that follow hot summers. A cold winter (mean temperature below 35° for December-February) is substantially less likely following a hot summer.

Let's take a look at the data for New York City:

Winters following Hot Summers (June-August Mean Temperature of 76° or above):

Average seasonal snowfall: 28.6"
Seasons with 30" or More Snowfall: 6/19 (31.6%)
seasons with less than 20" Snowfall: 7/19 (36.8%)

Average Temperature (December-February): 34.4°
Seasons with a Mean Temperature of 35° or Above: 10/19 (52.6%)
Seasons with a Mean Temperature below 35°: 9/19 (47.4%)

All Seasons (1869-70 through 2003-04):

Average seasonal snowfall: 28.2"
Seasons with 30" or More Snowfall: 52/135 (38.5%)
seasons with less than 20" Snowfall: 44/135 (32.6%)

Average Temperature (December-February): 33.3°
Seasons with a Mean Temperature of 35° or Above: 41/135 (30.4%)
Seasons with a Mean Temperature below 35°: 94/135 (69.6%)

Needless to say, one should take a careful look at the global indices e.g., ENSO, etc., before attempting to assess the kind of winter that is likely regardless of how the summer fared.

[jkt21787]

At least here, I don't think that is very true.

1980 was our warmest summer ever, and I think it was for many areas in the country. During the winter of 80-81, there was only a trace of snow, and no record lows set whatsoever that I could find. I didn't see any record highs either though for the season.

[andrewr]

The saying is not holding true for the Pacific Northwest. It was hot and dry in the summer and now it is mild and dry for the winter.

[krysof]

how hot may be your opinion

[vbhoutex]

how hot may be your opinion

I don't understand what you mean by this???

[Lindaloo]

The saying is not holding true for the Pacific Northwest. It was hot and dry in the summer and now it is mild and dry for the winter.

We had a hot summer and it is not warm and dry this winter.

[andrewr]

You're so lucky Lindaloo. I wish things would just go to normal here because at least then our mountains would be getting snow instead of 40+ degree temperatures and sun. There is hardly any snow on them and some places are at 0% of their average snowpack. It's getting pretty bad. I hope the saying "a mild and dry winter equals a wet and cool summer" comes true though.

[BlizzzardMan]

It may be an opinion, but I think it's true. Many occasions stated this. So if you want an extremely snowy winter, hope for an intense summer.

Believe it or not, I've had that thinking for years myself. Maybe it's just coicidence but just about every hot and dry summer we've had here, we've had very snowy winters! Back in the early to mid 90s we had some of our hottest summers and the winters that followed were some of our snowiest! On the flip side, when we've had cooler, wetter summers (like this past summer) our winters here end up being below normal in snowfall and above normal overall in temps. At this point, we are definitely below normal for snowfall as everything seems to be missing us. The past 2 winters before this one were pretty snowy and we had hot summers prior to them. Not saying that it's a good way to forecast seasons or anything, but it sure has happened that way here quite a bit.