Will it snow? Looks like it

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The National Weather Service is predicting a better than 50% chance that the Sauk Valley area will see its first snowfall on Friday morning.

A few tenths of an inch will accumulate, even on grass, the forecast said.

The larger concern is for morning commuters. Wet pavement is expected, as is reduced visibility from heavier snow accompanied by gusting winds in the vicinity of 35 mph.

Parts of Lee and Ogle counties have a better than 70% of snowfall greater than 0.1 inch. Most of Whiteside and Carroll counties have a better than 50% chance of getting that amount.

Temps on Friday will be in the mid 30s, with about a high of 40. On Saturday, it will be mostly cloudy with temps again in the high 30s.

The winter season outlook for meteorological winter, which the services says starts Dec. 1, is for below-normal temps in the northern plains states and wetter than normal conditions in the Great Lakes region.

This year a La Nina pattern is projected. A La Nina brings in wet and cool conditions from the Pacific Ocean, which intersect with a polar jet stream in the area along the western U.S.-Canada border.

Together, they produce increased snowfall through April in the upper Midwest and Great Lake states. The period of greatest La Nina impact on the weather takes place in February and March.

Last year was also a La Nina winter, but a stronger atmosphere response is expected this year, the weather service said. Since 1950, half of La Nina winters have been consecutive.