Captain's Log 23 Jan '22 Cold End to January

Happy Sunday. :)

The major weather cycles driving the pattern right now are a moderate La Nina (colder than normal equatorial Pacific Ocean, cold Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) cycle with colder than normal North Pacific Ocean temperatures, a very warm Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) cycle and a strong relatively symmetrical Polar Vortex.



All have teamed up to keep Eastern North America cold here in January. CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW.



Last week (16-22 Jan) summary around the World shows the U.S. trending -5.2F colder than last year, coldest in 3 years and 14th coldest of the past 37 years with below average national temperatures. Rainfall was up +194% over last year but still 19th driest of the past 37 years with average national rainfall. Snowfall was up 88% over last year, most in 3 years and 11th most in 37 years with above average national snowfall. These were very positive trends for Winter seasonal merchandise sales.



Coldest in 10 years across Canada, coldest in 3 years in the U.K. and very hot down in Brazil, hottest in 27 years.



This week (23-29 January) trends 3.6F colder than last year, coldest in 3 years and 6th coldest in 37 years with frigid conditions in the Eastern half of the country. Rainfall down 82% vs last year which would make it the #1 driest in over 37 years nationally. Snowfall also down 56% vs last year and 8th least in 37 years.



The 6-day snowfall outlook shows some moderate snow from the Midwest through the Ohio Valley into the Northeast. Overall below last year and below average for the 6-day period.



Next week (30 Jan - 5 Feb) shows a bit of a pattern shift with potential a stormy week in the West and well into Southern California. National temperatures -0.4F colder than last year, coldest in 4 years and 14th coldest of the past 37 years. Rainfall up 45% vs last year and 10th most in 37 years with the bigger storm in the West. Snowfall less than last year but still above average.



The 2-week World summary forecast (23 Jan - 5 Feb) shows the same general theme of colder conditions across Canada and the Eastern half of the U.S. and milder across Europe.

We hope you have a great week, and don't forget to follow us on social media for frequent updates: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Linkedin.

- Captain Kirk out