Japan Also Waits for -AO

Japan is on the verge of breaking a long-standing record for latest snowfall.

The current record was set in 1876...when winter/s first snowfall was observed on February 10.

Like much of the CONUS...Japan has experienced a relatively mild winter. The anomalous warmth has been attributed to the persistently positive phase of the AO and ENSO.

Cold air is contained @ hi-latitude during +AO. +ENSO keeps HIGH pressure anchored off Japan/s SE coast in a fashion similar to a La Nina ridge over the SE CONUS.