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There is a slight chance, but it is extremely unlikely we will get a repeat of last winter.  However, it should be snowier than the winters of 2006-2009.

I believe cold and snowy, but I wouldn't give it much credence.

Ha.  I am really not that well versed on European weather.  I do know Paris gets occasional decent snowfalls, so good luck!

La Nina's tend to be better with respect to normal at higher latitudes.  I think you probably are near or slightly above normal snow this winter.  Nothing like last winter in NYC metro.

I think we see 5-6 snow events.  Several of those could mix with rain/sleet and possibly change over to all rain.

I think North is key this winter.  The farther north the better.  But the exact storm tracks are hard to predict this far out.

I think you are correct that we are seeing bigger winter storms with more frequency.  Last winter El Nino was a major factor but not the only one.  We are in a La Nina this winter which are not typically good for big snows here, but other factors might override or mitigate it.

That is true.  But we had 3 of them last winter.  That is what made it so special.

At Capital Weather Gang we went for above average snow, but nothing like what we saw.  Here in DC we had "only" 7 snow events of over an inch, but as you know 4 of them were over 6" and 2 of them well over a foot.  It wasn't the number of storms that was impressive, rather the size of them.

Depends how far west, but west of the Blue Ridge is not a bad place to be.  I imagine there could be several storm tracks that keep you wintry while we are dry or rainy.

It is possible, but even with a really negative NAO, a formidable La Nina won't really be of much help in providing moisture to work with from the south and west.  It could just mean periods of cold and dry.

Slightly warmer than normal, but highly variable. 

Normal temps I would think.  Pittsburgh is in an interesting spot and could see a lot of mixed events that are hard to forecast.  There should be a decent number of arctic blasts that give you guys good lake effect.  For fun, I'll say cloudy with flurries and a high of 31 on New Years Day.

We are predicting a colder than normal December, and I do think we see a snow event before the end of the year.  I have no idea how big, and chances of a White Christmas are low here normally, but I'd say we have a better chance than usual of having one.

Last winter we generally did 350-400% of average snowfall.  All 3 airports set records for seasonal snowfall.   Agreed about DCA.  They don't really represent the area very well.  Unfortunately the FAA is in charge of measuring snow, so official sites are usually airports.  Fortunately we have IAD and BWI to balnce it out.

El Nino, sea surface temperatures along the Equator in the Pacific Ocean are warmer than normal and La Nina they are colder than normal.  We are in a La Nina, which are typically not great for snow lovers here, but there are other factors at play that should help mitigate its influence.

I am an Eagles fan, so I will just say "I told you so"....Frankly I thought he would do a little better

Agreed.  It is a low confidence outlook.  Especially when you get into specifics.  But when you put a number of indicators together, you can often but not always get a decent broadbrushed idea of what winter will be like.  But, yes, nailing specifics is hard from this far out.

I don't know.  Just don't eat the yellow snow and you should be fine.  I will say, I don't like when the snow becomes black after a few days. 

I don't foresee a lot of snow days.  A lot of course depends on timing.  But ARL/ALEX/DC will usually be open or just a delay for 1-3" events and I think most events this winter will be in that range.

We are still slightly below normal, but nothing unusual or that would indicate drought conditions.

Not all La Nina's behave the same, especially since there are other global factors at play.  But when you look at them as a whole, there are distinct tendencies.  So in a general sense, yes I do think we know enough.  It is just hard to get specific with good accuracy.  Especially since we are often in a transition zone between warm and cold air masses.  Places like Portland/Seattle(colder than normal) or Atlanta/Jacksonville(warmer than normal) are easier to forecast for in a La Nina.  Us not so much.

They lost...Why do you have to bring that up;)

I do think the huge contract to Ryan Howard could backfire.  Strikes out way too much.  Hopefully we don't strike out too many times this winter.  But there are always going to be forecasted events that simply bust.

I haven't been paying much attention, but I think Tomas stays well to our east.

I don't think much.  Pinatubo in 1991 certainly had a major effect, but I do not think this is on the same scale.