Weather Trends: December 2014

November 26, 2014

Temperatures are forecast to trend warmer than last year for the U.S. as a whole.  However, the Southeast may see some cooler trends compared to last year.  There is high confidence that the Great Lakes, New England, and South Central states will trend warmer than last year.  Onshore flow in the West will bring milder and wetter weather to the region.  A more pronounced flow of mositure will bring more snow to the West Coast mountain ranges.  At least one storm will eject out of the southern Rocky Mountains spreading a swath of snow from New Mexico to the Great Lakes and New England.  Following a very cold December last year, demand for winter categories will be much lower this year.  Items like sweaters, coats, heaters, and snow removal categories will see softer demand compared to last year.  The Southeast may be the only region of the country to see a year-on-year lift in seasonal category demand.  On the positive side, there should be less store traffic disruptions in the East this year as snowfall will trend less than last year. 

Source: Retailing Today, Weather Trends International