How Are We Doing?

As we all know (or feel) December was cold and January so far as averaged very mild. Next heating bill may be a little more welcome.

Here is a rundown on how we are doing so far in January both with temperature and rainfall. Data listed: Average high/low and total rainfall through yesterday (Jan. 23)

Birmingham 62/41 5.34
Anniston 62/39 4.96
Montgomery 65/41 3.18
Tuscaloosa 64/40 4.61
Decatur 59/39 3.28
Muscle Shoals 60/38 4.48
Shelby County Airport (NWS Office) 62/41 4.52

NOTES
Over most of Central Alabama the normal high temperature at this time of year is around 53 and the normal low 32. So daytime temperatures are averaging close to 10 degrees warmer than normal and overnight lows 7 to 9 degrees too warm. That is quite significant.

Rainfall is averaging about 0.75 to 1.25 inches wetter than normal.

At Birmingham Airport, the temperature has not been below 28 so far in January. That could spell trouble next summer if we have an over-population of gnats, spiders, mosquitoes, beetles, wood roaches and other "varmints"

Of course, winter is far from over.

Maybe we can reverse this story in February.

Based on long-term records at Birmingham Airport, normally the coldest part of the winter is between January 7 and January 19. During that stretch the "normal" high/low is 52/32. The normal high edged upward to 53 on January 20 and the normal low will be 33 by the end of January.

Don't put too many eggs in that basket. Those are mean values. The weather is hardly ever "normal."

Life goes on, hot or cold, warm or cool, or somewhere in between.