November could be a cold month for gas consumers in the Northeast, according to Weather Services International’s latest seasonal forecast, but the outlook is mixed for the winter overall. WSI’s forecast calls for cooler than normal temperatures on average from November through January in the southern Plains (e.g., Dallas, Houston, Little Rock), the Southeast and the Mid Atlantic regions. Warmer than normal temperatures are expected on average over those three months in the Pacific Northwest, California, the northern Plains (e.g., Minneapolis and Chicago) and the Southwest.

Consulting firm Energy Security Analysis Inc. said the WSI forecast for the three months is “neutral to bearish.” The forecast indicates there will be adequate seasonal heating demand in the key Midwest and Northeast regions. But while below normal temperatures in the Mid Atlantic could drive up heating demand there, “the normals in those regions are higher than in New England and New York,” ESAI noted. “Forecasts of above normal temperatures in the northern Rockies and northern Plains during December and January should keep a lid on heating demand in those regions.”

WSI Forecaster Todd Crawford said the expectation of above normal temperatures across the northern tier of states from the Pacific Northwest to northern New England in the November-January period is similar to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) outlook. “However, our forecast of below normal temperatures in the southern Plains, Southeast and Mid Atlantic differs from the [NWS], which did not make a forecast for those regions.”

WSI’s monthly breakdown is as follows:

For additional details from WSI’s forecast, contact Jeffrey Shorter at (978) 670-5090.

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