Frigid Weather in Atlanta by January 15th
The predicted change in the weather pattern at the end of this week may turn into some of the coldest weather of the season. Most forecasts for periods more than a day or two out are based on computer models, and one such model, the Global Forecast System, or GFS, was predicting highs in the 20s next Saturday or Sunday. The National Weather Service forecaster commenting on this possibility urged readers to remember that it was likely to change.
The map to the right represents the predicted low temperatures in the eastern half of the country for the period between January 16th and January 22nd. As you can see, the low during that period could be around 15 degrees, a temperature even colder than the frigid blast we had just before Christmas.
All the cold weather will be caused by polar air pushing southward starting around the middle of the week. We’ll begin to see the effects of that on Thursday, as some of the rain plaguing the Ohio valley moves into North Georgia. As the rain moves through, the temperatures drop, leading to highs Saturday only in the mid 40s. Longer-range, we might see some wintry precipitation the week of the 17th.
The Season’s First Daffodils
All of the warm weather we’ve had since Christmas has begun to have some effect on the plant life. This picture, taken in my back yard this morning, is the first daffodil of the season. I’ve also seen a crocus blooming, and the Lenten Rose and Daphne aren’t far behind.
On his radio show yesterday morning, Walter Reeves didn’t seem to be too concerned that the March-like weather in January would cause tremendous problems with plant life. His theory was that since soil temperatures are still in the mid 40s, and the days are just beginning to lengthen, the warm temperatures aren’t having the effect they would have if we were having weather this warm in late February.
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