Fall 2008 weather outlook

By News9 Meteorologist Carrie Rose.

Are we really nearing the end of Summer?  It certainly has felt like it lately with the cooler-than-average temperatures and rain!  If our Summer was cut short, what will the Fall be like? 

The Climate Prediction Center, which monitors global climate cycles and shifts, issued their seasonal outlook for Fall 2008 on Thursday.  So here's what the climate science experts predict for Oklahoma: slightly warmer than average for Fall, and around average for precipitation.

So what's "average" for September, October, and November in Oklahoma City? 

Oklahoma City is still more than 8.5" above average for the year as of August 22.  We've had more than 30" of rain this year, and on average have 35.85" in an entire year.  I suspect we'll be able to meet or exceed that average by the end of this year.

The equatorial Pacific west of South America is currently in ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) neutral conditions.  That means we are having neither a La Nina event nor an El Nino event.  This large-scale pattern will not, therefore, have any impact on our weather. 

Fall is my favorite season.  Not in Oklahoma, mind you, but back East where the trees explode in a dynamic dance of warm colors through the weeks.  Hay rides, hot apple cider, pumpkins, SEC football, and sweaters are the stuff of life during the Fall.  And of course, everyone needs to give in to the urge to jump into that giant pile of leaves you just spent hours raking, at least just once.