GREENSBORO, N.C. — The official start of winter is just weeks away, and the WFMY News 2 Weather Team is laying out what the Triad can expect as the season approaches.

After finally breaking a years-long snowfall drought last winter, the Triad picked up roughly 5 inches of snow across several minor events — the first measurable snowfall in more than 1,000 days. Last winter also ended up slightly cooler and drier than average.

The impact of La Niña

This year, the forecast again centers on conditions thousands of miles away in the Pacific Ocean. Ocean temperatures along the equator indicate another La Niña pattern — the same setup the Carolinas experienced last winter. But this year’s La Niña is weaker, meaning its influence on local weather will be more muted.

In a typical La Niña winter

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