Missourians can expect average snowfall this winter

Meteorologists are expecting average to slightly above average amounts of snowfall in Missouri this winter.

Scientists project this winter to follow a weak La Niña weather pattern.

This weather pattern involves a cooling effect on waters in the Pacific Ocean, which influences global wind patterns. The polar jet stream tends to steer cold Arctic air into the northern United States, increasing the likelihood for rain to turn into snowfall.

The jet stream is projected to be weaker this year, which is why meteorologists are predicting an average amount of snowfall.

Columbia’s winter snowfall average is 15 inches. This is the exact amount of snow that fell in the city last year, and yet a few snow storms caused Columbia Public Schools to run out of Alternative Methods of Instruction hours