I just heard that western Md is only predicting 78" of snow this year compared to over 200" last year. Anyone else hear differently?

No idea what the predictions are, but I've lived in the mid-Atlantic 20 years and have yet to see two great winters in a row.

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20031022-100333-9458r.htm

I've lived here 25 years and have learned nobody can predict jack around here

Surely, however, however consistently wrong the local predictions, it has to beat the all-seeing NOAA this year: an equal chance of an above, average, or below normal winter. My gosh! I want that job. Here, watch my NOAA skills in action: there will be an election next year, and someone will win, someone will lose, and someone (not necessarily the winner or the loser) will take the oath of office in January 2005, which will fall during a winter that may or may not be mild, cold, or average. Precipitation is possible on that day if it is cloudy, but if it is clear precipitation is significantly less likely.

The Woolly Bears have thick brown bands.

The arthritis in my big toe is worse than normal ...

Hell, the incompetent weather "experts" can't even get the forecast right from day to day! What, in God's name, makes anyone think (or believe) that the weather forecasters will have even a chance of getting it close to right for an entire season!

What did they predict last Year?

Im the Best I predict a 100% chance of weather this winter!they prob will be ave this year

According to the Farmer's Almanac we're supposed to have a milder winter than last year with warmer temps and less snowfall, whie the West is supposed to have a rockin' winter.

I am betting on 142 inches at Whitegrass as of April Fool's day.

I put a case of Guiness on it.

give or take 10" I think your on the stout gatsinko

I must already be on the stout gatkinso,sorry for the misspell!!

Snowshoe just posted these predictions from Herb Stevens, the famous skiing weatherman:

"As far as the rest of the winter is concerned, it looks to
me as although snowfall amounts will be down from last year's in the mid
Atlantic, I still think they will be a little above normal. The overall
upper air pattern in the northern hemisphere should be one that favors cold
air in the East and Mid Atlantic, and that will allow for a productive
season in terms of machine made snow. Temperatures should average at or
slightly below normal for the winter as a whole.

As usual, winter sports enthusiasts who are "weather
engaged", are asking about El Nino, and it's counterpart, La Nina. At this
point, it appears as though a weak El Nino is in its formative stage in the
central equatorial Pacific. The position of the pool of warmer than normal
sea surface temperatures, as well as the small magnitude in the departure
from normal of those temperatures, correlates well to a slightly colder than
normal, slightly snowier than normal winter. Combined with other factors,
such as sea surface temps in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as
upper level wind patterns over the Pacific, and cyclical solar activity, I
believe that this winter may not be as spectacular as a year ago, but a
solid one for skiers and riders headed for the "Island in the Sky"."