Wasn't the 40 degree afternoon Thursday nice? A lot better than the teens the other day and the sub-zero temperatures we've been waking up to lately. Unfortunately our quick January thaw looks to be ending by the end of the weekend with a rather quick return to an Arctic air mass. But could there be light at the end of the month?
When we look at the month of January as a whole, we've really only had four days where temperatures were below average. Every other day was right on, or slightly above. And so far the month is averaging 0.5 degrees warmer than the monthly average. Now, with the single digits highs and below zero lows coming up next week I'm sure that number will go down slightly.
However, another changing atmospheric pattern may allow temperatures to rise slightly above average for the middle of the country by the end of the month. The two week outlook from the Climate Prediction Center highlights the Plains and Great Lakes for a higher probability of experiencing temperatures above average. This comes as both the AO (Arctic Oscillation) and NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) begin to turn positive. Both have been in the negative which has helped generate some of the cold lately. It's important to note, though, that forecasts for the AO and NAO may change slightly and even though temperatures may warm, there could also be below average days mixed in.
Along with the warm, the weather pattern will turn a little more active for most of the country bringing a higher probability of more precipitation.
So if the single digits highs and bitter cold wind chills are not your thing, let's hope the end of the month will be warmer!
No comments:
Post a Comment