Frozen Memories and Warm Thoughts
From late December through early January, the Northeast experienced a streak of colder-than-normal temperatures. At 17 of the 35 major climate sites, the period ranked among the 10 longest streaks of consecutive days below 32°F. In fact, for Bridgeport, CT, and Huntington, WV, the consecutive days below freezing set or tied the record for longest streak.
Table of consecutive days below 32°F, dates, rank, and longest streak.
If we expand to look at days at or below 32°F, the period ranked among the 10 longest streaks of consecutive days at or below 32°F for 18 major climate sites. In fact, Charleston, WV, and Dulles Airport, VA, set or tied their longest streaks at or below freezing.
Table of consecutive days at or below 32°F, dates, rank, and longest streak.
A (brief) reprieve from the cold air is expected over the next two days. Normal high temperatures on January 11 and 12 are in the 30s for much of the Northeast, but range from the upper teens in northern Maine to the low 40s in southern parts of the region. National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the 40s, 50s, and 60s on both days, which would be up to 25°F above normal for some areas. A few daily high temperature records may be challenged, but the forecasted temperatures don’t quite stack up to the highest maximum temperatures for January (table below).
The highest max temp for January and date of occurrence at each of the major climate sites.