2011-2012 Winter: Mid-Upper Level Atmosphere Temperatures at Record Lows

Mid to Upper levels of the atmosphere are currently experiencing all time record lows. As seen in the graph above, you can see how this is the lowest temperature for this time of year in at least the past several years graphed here. Not only is that true, but the same lowest temperature claim can be said for all temperature readings at this time of year since recording began.

What does this mean?
Warm air from storms of any nature rise into the atmosphere. In the summer, this creates instability for thunderstorms. At this point in time going into winter, if these record low temperatures are to continue, one could infer that the warm air rising from a low pressure system would rise higher and faster in the atmosphere, thus creating more energy for the system to work with and in turn creating more snow.


In our eyes, this is a very possible thing to happen. It aligns with basic physics rules and basic temperature movements in the air (warm air rises), so to say.
We will watch this, as it may have a big effect on winter snowfall this year.