Saturday, January 06, 2007

Numbers

Some statistics regarding our recent anomalous warmth:

*The average daily temperature has been above normal for 29 consecutive days (December 9, 2006-January 6, 2007)
*Of those 29 days, the high temperature was at or above 40 degrees on 23 of them, including two days in the 50s
*The high temperature has been above freezing every one of those 29 days
*The high temperature of 52 degrees on Wednesday was 27 degrees above normal
*No measurable snow has fallen during this time
*Seasonal snowfall has amounted to 4.9 inches, including 4.6 inches in November but only one-tenth of an inch in December

The next few days look to be about the same, with above normal temperatures in the 30s. The long-awaited (for some of us) change may occur by late in the week. This time period is actually going to be quite interesting. A cold front is expected to move through the region around Thursday. Once the front clears the area, it may stall just to our south. Low pressure could move along the front across the area, and this is where the situation becomes unclear. If enough cold air is in place at all levels, any precipitation would fall as snow. If the cold air is slower to arrive and temperatures aloft are still warmer, it would set the stage for freezing rain. Still several days away yet, so the forecast could change 874 times between now and then. Bears watching though.

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