How the Siberian Snowpack Could Influence Winter in the U.S.

The vast Siberian snowpack is thousands of miles away; however, it can still influence the winter weather patterns in North America. How does this deep layer of snow impact the winter here in the U.S.? Read on for all of the details.

Understanding the Impact of the Siberian Snowpack

The Siberian snowpack itself does not directly translate to a colder winter for the U.S. But it can influence other factors that spill over to the type of winter experienced in the states. Climatologists note that an increased level of snow cover in eastern Russia during the early part of the fall season naturally creates a greater reflection of sunlight and colder temperatures as early as October. This means that despite the Lower 48 currently experiencing a warm and dry beginning of the fall season, this warmth may not last for long.

The atypically cold air building over distant Siberia can impact the weather across the jet stream that circulates over the Northern Hemisphere. Historically speaking, a greater degree of snow cover in Siberia has been shown to lead to warmer weather throughout the eastern Arctic. The warmer temperatures in this part of the world then raise the chances of a polar vortex disruption into North America throughout the winter season.

Disruptions in the polar vortex are often to blame for the surges of Arctic air that dip down into the U.S. during the winter months. Additionally, the polar vortex disruptions also increase the odds of cross-polar flow. This is the term used to describe the movement of bitterly cold Siberian air down into North America and across portions of the U.S.