Trøndelag Cold

Fifteen locations across Trøndelag, a region in central Norway, experienced biting cold Tuesday morning—the lowest temperatures of the autumn season so far. The cold snap was fierce, and snowy, and has signaled an early arrival of winter.

Last winter was exceptionally cold across Scandinavia, with the season culminating in a historic low of -44.3C (-47.7F) at Finland’s Enontekiö airport—the coldest temperature recorded in Fennoscandia.

This extreme chill had wide-ranging impacts , including an unusual influx of waxwings into the UK, resulting in a rare “waxwing winter” as these birds, typically native to colder regions, migrated south in search of food. As Dr. Viola Ross-Smith from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) explained, “Waxwings have a so-called irruptive migration which means their autumn and winter movements are largely driven by the need to find sufficient food.” Due to a frozen berry crop in Scandinavia, thousands of waxwings traveled south to Britain in late autumn, seemingly preempting the exceptionally cold winter that followed.

Scandinavia’s cold persisted throughout the season, breaking records in January 2024 and also throughout the spring. April set new historical benchmarks across northern Europe, in fact, but particularly in Sweden and Norway. On April 3—for example—Nikkaluokta, Sweden, posted a low of -34.1C (-29.4F), breaking a monthly record that had stood since 1955. Meanwhile, in Norway, the northern settlement of Cuovddatmokki experienced five consecutive days with lows below -25C (-13F), a first.

The cold set records in Finnmark, Norway, and all. On April 4, Suolovuopmi logged -31.9C (-25.4F), making it the second-lowest temperature ever registered at the station in April (surpassed only by a 2013 reading).

The persistence of such frigid conditions long into spring marked the 2023-24 cold season as one of the most severe Scandinavia has ever experienced. And now, as highlighted above, winter 2024-25 is starting early. Are we set for a repeat?

Fall Arrives With A Bang In U.S.

This week, a powerful cold front is sweeping the U.S., ushering in freezing temperatures, frost, and even sizable snowfalls.

A Freeze Warning is in effect for southern Minnesota and much of the Midwest, with temperatures dropping into the 20s. This marks the first freeze of the season for many areas, including the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

Widespread frosts will continue across the region through midweek as temperatures remain in the 20s and 30s. The cold front will soon extend into the eastern U.S. and all, bringing anomalous lows and an expanding frost risk.

The Northeast is set for early season snow, particularly those higher elevations. Flakes are expected in the Adirondacks, central Appalachians, and northern New England. Parts of northern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire could see accumulating snow, particularly above 1,800 feet. Lake Placid has already posted multiple inches.

In the Hudson Valley, it will dip into the 30s, maybe even the upper 20s, with frost and potential snow flurries by midweek.

Even southern states like Florida and Texas will feel the chill, with both tanking into the 60s by Wednesday.

The West won’t be spare either, with states such as Oregon, California, Montana, and Wyoming seeing temperatures bottom in the 40s and 50s by the end of the week. The best of the snowfall is also forecast for these these parts, with Denver, for example, set for its first flurries:

From the Midwest to the Northeast and even down to the southern states, fall is most certainly here as an Arctic air mass drops down from Canada to deliver November-like weather.

New Zealand’s Bumper Ski Season Comes To A Close

New Zealand’s ski season is winding down, but it marks one of the most memorable in recent history, thanks to the exceptional snowfall and cold conditions.

Ōhau ski area experienced its best season in 35 years, according to general manager Mike Neilson, who lauded the consistency of natural snow throughout the season: “We got off to a fine start and we never stopped,” he said. “We had a record opening day, and when we closed on October 6, it was a beaut weekend as well. I think our last day was a record also.”

Other prominent ski areas like Mt Hutt, Cardrona, and the Remarkables celebrated their closes on Sunday. Despite a slow start to snow accumulation, by late June, the cold and snow were in full swing, dropping record-challenging volumes.

Cardrona manager Laura Hedley noted a particularly “crazy” season, characterized by bluebird conditions, excellent snow cover over the July holidays, and constant snowfalls through September. “We would have loved to extend the season,” she said, but with expansion plans into the Soho Basin underway and contractors already on-site, the ski area had to close on Sunday. The expansion, set to double the size of Cardrona, promises “even more snow-filled fun in the coming years”—a reality countering the doomsday scenarios painted by mainstream outlets.

Treble Cone, another southern ski field, also experienced a phenomenal season. The final stretch there contained “the busiest closing day ever,” due to an incredible amount of snow.

Likewise, Mt Hutt saw consistent snow all season, making for the most visitors in its history. Speaking to the last day of the season, which was particularly snowy, manager James McKenzie remarked, “It’s one of those days where you get fresh pow every single lap.”

The Remarkables enjoyed a snowy “back-to-front” season, so said manager Steve Hall, one that began with sparse snow but ended with incredible late-season totals. The final day here was a picture-perfect close, added Hall, with a cold, clear morning and a fresh blanket of deep powder.

Despite a few weather hiccups at select fields early on, New Zealand’s 2024 snow season will be remembered for its abundance of snow and bustling crowds—realities which again counter the absurdities reported by legacy rags such as The Guardian:

A recent Gallup poll reveals that only 31% of respondents express confidence in American news outlets, marking the third consecutive year where more Americans (36%) report having no trust at all in the media.

The survey, conducted in September 2024 among 1,007 adults, found a significant divide in trust based on political affiliation and age, with Democrats and older Americans more likely to trust the media.

Japan Weather Bureau Forecasts Epic Winter Snow

Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) is forecasting a bumper winter with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall.

The upcoming winter forecast is shaped by a strong chance (60%) of La Niña developing, a phenomenon known for delivering colder weather and increased snow. NOAA currently supports this outlook with a 71% chance of La Niña conditions.

With regards to snowfall, the JMA predicts above-average snowfall nationwide. This forecast has fueled excitement, especially when looking back at the 2021-22 La Niña season, which brought record-breaking snowfalls across the country.

Resorts like Myoko saw more than 16 meters (52.5 feet) of snow that winter. While a little further north, Geto Kogen received more than 24 meters (78.7 feet), requiring the resort’s chairlifts to be regularly dug out:

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Historically, La Niña has driven snow accumulation across Japan’s ski regions.

Myoko has averaged 13.8 meters of snow during La Niña winters since 2012, compared to 12.4 meters in other years. Similarly, Nozawa Onsen saw nearly 9 meters of snow in La Niña years, and 7.2 meters in seasons without it. Hokkaido resorts, including Niseko, also thrive during these colder winters, with the area amassing up to 15 meters of snow during the last La Niña event.

The forecast also calls for colder-than-average temperatures across Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, as well as Hokuriku, home to resorts like Hakuba Valley and Nozawa Onsen, which will likely extending the ski season, according to the JMA.

Speaking to Northern Hemisphere snow mass as a whole, we have out first plot on the FMI chart—and it’s above average: