Winter Is Great

**THEO'S SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR AUTUMN 2008 & WINTER 2008/2009**
Expect Fall and Winter 2009 To Arrive Early This Year

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

Welcome back to all those returning from summer vacation!

{NOTES: This seasonal outlook precedes my WINTER/SPRING 2009 Long-Range Climate & Weather forecast to be published in September. This outlook is written to give the general public time to prepare for what I forecast will be an early fall, and a early winter. Autumn, in my estimation, has already started this month of August, and will end in early November, giving way to a winter that will be five (5) weeks ahead of schedule for North America.

**ASTRO NOTES ->
If you use natural gas or heating oil to warm your house this winter then expect heating bills to be much higher than last year because of oil speculators. Heating oil prices futures are around $3.28, so if you add the $1.00 retailer's markup, you will see heating prices doubled from just two years ago. Natural gas prices are high and will rise, according to my astrological calculations.

Home heating, especially in the northern climes is an absolute; where an average heating oil bill in New England where 8 million households need oil to fire up their furnaces, is expected to jump to as much as $1,500 this winter compared with last, according to U.S. government estimates.

According to the NY Times ~ "Amid a slowing economy, high energy costs are weighing heavily on pocketbooks, and have become a major political issue. Airlines and automakers have posted billions of dollars in losses, consumers have cut some of their spending to compensate for costlier gasoline, and soaring energy prices have contributed to inflation across the economy."

My astrometeorological advice is this: I have forecasted an earlier winter this year that will arrive by mid-November 2008. This winter will be colder, and snowier than normal. The winter will last into April, more or less, because of next's spring's sluggish start.

So, if you have a tight budget, make certain you get your furnance cleaned & checked out this month of August, and early September. If you have older furnaces, or heating units that have been damaged, then search right now for more efficient units and replace them. This winter season demands attention.

**Note to Pacific Northwest, Plains states, Central Midwesterners & Southerners: Residents should expect a colder-than-normal winter with heavy snowfalls, ice events, and gusting winds. It would be wise to pay close attention to the cooler-than-normal temperatures in the fall season, and to take stock of winter supplies & equipment before the onset of the early winter season I have forecasted.**

Residents who supplement their household heating with burning wood should order extra cords of wood stocks now in mid-August through September 22nd before stocks begin to run low in October. You will need the wood this long winter season ahead. Be prepared.**

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities To Heat Your Home

-Boston, $1,635.94
-Buffalo, N.Y., $1,618.27
-Minneapolis, $1,475.11
-Washington, D.C., $1,461.11
-Philadelphia, $1,370.12
-New York, $1,269.14
-Cleveland, $1,154.77
-Detroit, $1,149.12
-St. Louis, $1,058.72
-Denver, $1,053.91

***THEO'S ASTOMETEOROLOGICAL
SEASONAL OUTLOOK FOR FALL 2008 & WINTER 2008/2009***

According to my astrometeorological calculations on climate conditions, the fall season will arrive earlier than normal and will lead to an earlier than expected, and long winter season.

This winter will last from mid-November 2008 into May 2009 due to the cooler & wetter climate of Spring of 2009, which will make this coming winter season seem longer than normal. The Central-to-Southern Midwest and Southeastern states will receive a very healthy dose of winter weather this season.

This is a very active & dangerous winter season with something for everyone... heavy snow accumulations, gusty, raging winds with blowing snow and causing blizzard-like conditions, freezing rains, ice events, and colder-than-normal temperatures, etc. Take no chances this particular winter across the country. It will be colder than normal for the Northwestern U.S. this winter ~ a record winter for the Pacific northwest.

This will be a more "classic" winter season, not only for parts of South & Midwest, but also for the Pacific Northwest, Central & Southern Rockies, the Southern Plains, including the state of Nebraska, the southern Mid-West, the South, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Above-normal snowfall, and ice events due to heavy precipitation and colder-than-normal temperatures, along with gusty winds will make for blizzard warnings in those regions.

Winter, in my astrometeorological calculations, will begin on Saturday, November 13, 2008 and will extend to April 25, 2009. The biggest stories of the winter will be Air temperatures, and precipitation of driving rains, heavy snows, freezing rains & ice events ~ making this one of the most memorable classic winters for some time in North America ~ again, especially for southern regions of the country.

Spring 2009 will be late, making the months of March, April and May 2009, wet and cooler than is normal for spring. From what I can determine from my calculations, delayed, cold, cloudy, with the climate still in the throes of winter, which does not want to seem to end until late April 2009. Warmer weather and clearer spring-like skies will not become more frequent until early June 2009.

I am forecasting an extended winter for this reason, as I see spring 2009 arriving later than usual, with a delay in climate of spring weather until early June for many regions of North America.

In addition, because of the heavier than normal snows over winter, next spring will see threats of floods in parts of the South, Southeastern, and Mid-Atlantic states. The Southeast, which only less than two years ago, suffered from extreme drought, has seen dry conditions abate with increased precipitation in 2008; however, spring 2009 brings threats of regional flooding in the very regions that suffered from drought.

The Pacific Northwest will be much colder than normal this winter, with above average snowfall, along with ice events that will make roads very dangerous. Expect a colder than normal fall season to precede a earlier than normal winter. Due to heavier than normal snowfalls in the Pacific Northwest this winter, many regions will experience common flooding in the northwest in the months of March and April. The slightly drier conditions will end in the northwest with the heavier than normal snowfalls during snowmelt season in spring 2009.

AUTUMN 2008's GENERAL CLIMATE
An early fall season

As August 2008 winds down, some of you may have noticed that the month of August hasn't been as hot and humid for much of the country, expect those on the west coast and the Pacific Northwest, which have been experiencing warmer-than-usual hot and steamy weather.

Those residing in the Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and New England should have been aware of the cooler than normal August temperatures, especially those residing along the Canadian border, such as those in upstate New York, and those living near mountainous and valley regions.

Fall, for a majority of the country (excepting parts of the far west & PNW) will first be clear and chily, then wetter, and cold into late October, with winter's arrival by November 13th, about 18 days ahead of meteorological winter (Dec. 1) and a full five (5) weeks ahead of the Winter Solstice (Dec. 22.)

My long-range weather forecast will include my assessment of winter's early arrival by mid-November, with some snows in October along the northern regions of North America, and with colder-than-normal temperatures for two-thirds of the country during the months of Sep. through November. This means a early fall season.

Those in mountain and valley regions should already see signs of the earlier onset of fall before mid-September's autumn equinox. Keen city dwellers in the East, and New England who are attuned to the signs in nature will see trees shedding leaves. The color of the leaves assist in shedding (no pun intended) the coming season of fall, and winter. More bright yellow colors of fallen leaves in August indicate a wet autumn with cooler-than-normal temperatures.

We are seeing lowered daytime temperatures in the East, Southeast, and Midwest range between 82-70 degrees with night-time temperatures in the 50s & 60s. Areas close to mountains and valleys have seen night temps in the mid-40s in late July and early August.

Areas as far north as Buffalo, N.Y. for example have had a wet summer with cooler-than-normal temperatures, and it has been a wetter than normal summer for the midwestern and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. Farmers have been reporting wet hay fields because there has not been enough hot weather to dry the hay fields out.

This fall season will be clear, crisp and cooler-than-normal for many regions of North America. Fall conditions are arriving earlier than usual, and by second week of September it will be obvious to most that autumn is already here.

By the third week, everyone will be commenting on the cooler than normal temperatures and the spread of dry leaves everywhere. By that time, the fall equinox (Sept. 22) when the Sun enters tropical Libra, autumn will have already been here for the northern hemisphere.

The rainy season kicks off early too (in mid-September) and continues in early-to-mid October for some regions, and in early November in other regions. A very wet fall season after mid-September is ahead generally.

Early snows at higher elevations arrive the week of Sept. 22-29 October, with high wind conditions for New England, the Great Lakes, and all regions along the 49th Parallel bordering Canada.

AUTUMN 2008's General Climate Conditions

- Colder than normal Fall temperatures (mid-Aug. thru Sept.)
- Clear, sunny skies, dry, brisk, Cool Temps (first half of Sept.)
- Rainy Season starts earlier than normal (mid-Sept. thru Nov. 17)
- Colder night-time lows w/early frosts (Sept. 24 - Oct.19)
- First 19 days of October, very wet w/ cold, heavy rains
- Gusty Winds w/ driving rains from Oct. 19 thru Nov. 15
- Very cold, dry gusty winter winds Nov. 15 thru Dec. 12

PREVIEW OF WINTER'S EARLY ARRIVAL
Winter Conditions Begin in November 2008
December 2008 feels very much like mid-winter

Winter 2008-09, according to my assessment will be colder, and wetter than normal with increased snow and ice events for the Southern Plains, Rocky Mountains, into the Nebraska Platte country, the Central and Southern Rockies, including the Texas panhandle, the Southern U.S., Central & Southern Midwest, into the Southeast & Mid-Atlantic states.

Winter is earlier than usual, with much colder temperatures than is normal for November and December. I've been forecasting an earlier than normal winter this year in my comments since 2007.

Frost season will begin from Sept. 7 through to October 31, 2008. Farmer's and gardening enthusiasts should prepare earlier than normal for this frost season. After Sept. 15, expect to see signs of an earlier-than-normal rainy fall season for the Midwest, East, and Southeastern states. Colder temperatures in New England and the Great Lakes, with snow events at high elevations the week of Sept. 22-29.

This autumn season will also see the early signs of what will be be common this early winter: gusty cold winds & blizzards, and freezing rains. The air is very active this winter ~ and the winds will be a major problem along with the above-average winter precipitation.

Most residents east and south of the Rockies in the U.S., should beware of slick roads due to the heavy snows and freezing rains this winter. Be prepared for power outages by purchasing generators to run power in your homes and businesses.

December 2008 is a very stormy and active month. Winter will have already begun in early December with blowing snow at more southern declinations, winds, heavy precipitation, blizzard-like conditions; especially in the Southern Plains and Southern to Central Rockies, including northern Texas, Oklahoma, freezing rains, and ice events across the South and Southeastern U.S. The month of December will feel like mid-winter by the time of the Winter Solstice of Dec. 21.

Gusting winds throughout regions of the country pick up from October 19, 2008 and continue through December 27. There will be about ten (10) weeks of varying levels of gusting winds from mid-October to late December, making the colder-than-normal temperatures feel even colder throughout this period.

Arctic temperatures for two-thirds of the country (excepting parts of the far west & Pacific Northwest) will occur between November 26 through to January 4, 2009. These arctic temperatures begin to recede slowly in January until the effects of the Pacific jet warms things up in late January.

I do not expect a strong Pacific jet until after January 25, 2009. This means the month of February 2009 will see temperatures rise after the pullback to the north of arctic air. However, February 6-9 brings another eastern snowstorm to the Mid-Atlantic states, then afterwards, a continuing warming up of the atmosphere the rest of February, but with still more threats of ice events because of the increase moisture in the atmosphere threatens the Southern Plains states, and Southeastern U.S. in February

Expect a stonger-than-normal northern jet stream this winter bringing about northwestern winds anf Alberta clipper systems into the Great Lakes, and upstate New York and New England with these clipper storms riding this wave also into the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania and into the Mid-Atlantic region.

Precipitation from the Gulf will bring the return of the classic winter southern track of storms riding up towards the northeastern metro areas, affecting Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., along the way, while also affecting the states of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

December 5-12 shows snow and ice events for Southeastern & Central U.S., with colder than normal temperatures, heavy rains from the Gulf of Mexico combined with cold arctic air from Canada combining to prpduce snow and ice. Strong winds will make the storms damaging. The Central & Southern Rockies, and southern Plains into northern Texas will be affected, as well as states as Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia.

That early December 2008 winter event, for example, continues into the Mid-Atlantic region the week of Dec. 12-19, and will arrive by Friday, December 12, making for a messy weekend on the east coast and northeastern metropolitan areas with heavy snows in Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., and parts of the Southeast. Blizzard warnings due to the high winds will increase snow accumulations in the cities and suburbs. Roads will be treacherous the second and third weeks of December.

ASTROMET OUTLOOK

I expect about 2-1/2 snow storms a month from early December 2008 through to early March 2009 for the Rocky Mountains, the Southern Rockies, Central & Southern Plain states, as well as the South, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. This will make Winter 2009 memorable after several years of a relatively warm winters; especially in parts of the Central Midwestern, Southern and Northeastern U.S.

CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR WINTER 2008/2009

- Early onset of winter by Mid-November 2008
- Colder-than-normal temperatures
- Heavier than normal snowfalls - Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic
- Gusty Winds, blowing snows, blizzard conditions - Plains states, Rocky Mountains, and into Nebraska and Iowa

- Strong Northwestern Winds
- Arctic Air (Dec. '08 to Jan. '09)
- Numerous Alberta Clippers from the Northwest
- Increased southern precipitation Mixing with Arctic Air
- Freezing Rains & ice storms - Pacific Northwest, Central Midwest(Dec. '08) & (March '09)

This winter will be colder-than-normal due to the lack of sunspot activity affecting the Earth's equator. Colder than normal winter temperatures (arctic air) are on tap this winter ahead with increased precipitation of freezing rains, snows and gusty winds mixing with the very cold air.

My outlook for the nation from the Continential Divide towards the entire two-thirds of the country is to prepare for a chilly early autumn and very cold winter season. Think and act about 4-5 weeks ahead of what one would normally do to prepare for fall and especially winter this year.

SPRING 2009 OUTLOOK

Next Spring is "muddled." That's the word I use because from all my calculations, spring is very slow to get up, and when it does, it is sluggish at best and takes it's time to get started.

February 2009's Pacific jet will warm the atmosphere over much the U.S., and during the latter half of the month of February, it will "appear" as if spring is on its way. However, it is not.

The first half of the days in February will be cloudy, and cold, while the second half of the days of February will see some clearing, warm ups, but still chilly. The appearance of the warming tempratures later in the days of February, and into the first 10 days of March 2009, will give many regions the "impression" that winter is coming to an end. Do not be misled, winter will still have another full month-and-a-half from March before it releases its grip on North America.

Spring-like weather will be seen in the Southern U.S. in early February. Do not be surprised to experience thunderstorms, lightning in mid-February & March. Heavy fog, and strange electrical disturbances appear in the southeastern climate (Mar. 5-16)There are strong potentials for tornados in February and the first 15 days of March 2009 throughout the South, Central Midwest, and Southeastern U.S.

By March 6, 2009, a six-week Venus retrograde (Mar. 6 to April 17) will delay the onset of proper sping climate conditions relative to Earth's position to the Sun-Venus configuration. Prior Venus retrogrades before spring equinoxes have shown wet winter conditions returning over the course of about six-weeks ~ the exact length of most Venus retrogrades.

The climate by the next spring equinox (March 20, 2009) is a cold and dreary day in many regions. Cloudy skies, below-normal temperatures ~ winter weather ~ will take place on what should be the first day of spring. Snow will fall in throughout the Colorado Rockies on the spring equinox, as well as in Nebraska, and the Southern Plains states, which will have had a very rough winter with heavy accumulations of snow, gusty winds and blizzards.

The first weekend of spring (Mar. 20-22) snow, freezing rains with thick ice develops in regions across the central & southern Midwestern states, and the western mountainous regions of Southern states, including West Virginia. Even residents in the Poconos of Pennsylvania will see snow this first day of spring. Winter will have returned during the spring equinox.

March & April 2009 sees increased precipitation spreading from the South to Central Midwestern states, to the Northeastern regions, including New England, with heavier-than-normal rains with the threat of a Nor'easter along the eastern U.S. from March 18-25. A large rain event develops in the South, and Southeast between April 17-25.

March & April 2009 are very wet and stormier months than is usual through the South, Central Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Heavy rains, gusty winds and flooding are on tap those two months.

The months of March and April 2009 show cooler-than-normal weather conditions. A stormy & unsettled winter-like climate persists. April 2009 is very windy, wet and cold, with winter-like days and chilly temperatures clearly showing spring is to be delayed yet another month, well into May 2009.

According to my calculations, Spring really does not fully bloom until the second week of June 2009.

SPRING 2009's GENERAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS

- Colder than normal temperatures, March, April, May
- Wetter than normal, heavy precipitation
- Gusty Winds (March/April 2009)
- Winter-like storms persist March & April w/ snow, freezing rains, electrical storms, freezing fogs, and ice storms.

- Flooding from heavy rains & melting snows, carefully monitor rivers, and streams in the Central Midwest, South, Southeast & Mid-Atlantic regions.

- May 2009 is cooler than normal, however, the spring season grabs firmer footing in that month. By the second week of June, spring will arrive, (June 7) late, and with the Summer equinox just two weeks away. Spring 2009 is shorter than normal.

A fuller, and more detailed astrometeorological forecast for the country will be published by early September for Winter/Spring 2009.

Theodore White, Astrolog.CSA
Classical Scientific Astrologer
Pro Astrometeorologist