Lack of cold east of the Rockies

[Lightning]

Why is there a serious lack of cold air in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains! It was nearly 80 degrees here yesterday and it doesn't feel like Christmas one bit! Not just here in Alabama, but some family in the Chicagoland area r having 60s and it feels nothing like Christmas there either. Is it El Niño?

[Jason07]

I think a big part of it is that the NAO has been highly positive lately, which has allowed the Southeast ridge to be strong.

[toxictwister00]

It's really a combination of all kinds of factors, some I know of from reading from other wx forums, but can't thoroughly explain because of my limited knowledge. I can say in addition to a +NAO, we've been having a -PNA (which usually promotes western troughs) and a +AO (which usually promotes ridging for the eastern US).

Also most forecasters expected December to be warm for the eastern half of the US, the problem is December may end up warmer than what was initially anticipated. Unless there's another hidden monkey wrench in the works later down the road, we should begin to see a pattern flip sometime in January, when exactly is the million dollar question. Our Super El Nino is also expected to begin weakening as we head into the heart of winter.

All we can do now is sit back and watch and see what 2016 will bring.

[curtjr4]

Although this is relatively unrelated to the weather pattern east of the Rockies, here on the central coast of California (more near Los Angeles) it's been cooler than normal and we've actually been getting the occasional rain. Meanwhile on my Facebook, I see a ton of posts about the record high temperatures back in Michigan.

[Lightning]

So far, this is what I've had to say: No Baby, it's not cold outside.   

[Lightning]

It's really a combination of all kinds of factors, some I know of from reading from other wx forums, but can't thoroughly explain because of my limited knowledge. I can say in addition to a +NAO, we've been having a -PNA (which usually promotes western troughs) and a +AO (which usually promotes ridging for the eastern US).

Also most forecasters expected December to be warm for the eastern half of the US, the problem is December may end up warmer than what was initially anticipated. Unless there's another hidden monkey wrench in the works later down the road, we should begin to see a pattern flip sometime in January, when exactly is the million dollar question. Our Super El Nino is also expected to begin weakening as we head into the heart of winter.

All we can do now is sit back and watch and see what 2016 will bring.

But it'll be too late by that time. I want it cold at Christmas. December is the ONLY month I want the cold. Otherwise, I cant stand the cold. Sorry for the annoying double post.