Ann Arbor records 13th warmest January on record
University of Michigan freshman Yagiz Yar bares his arms as he walks along South State Street with classmate Alp Kiremitci, both of Turkey, during unseasonably warm weather Tuesday afternoon.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The average temperature in January was 30.2 degrees, 5.5 degrees above the normal average, said University of Michigan weather observer Dennis Kahlbaum. The warmest January on record was 1932, when observers recorded an average temperature of 35 degrees.
For comparison, the coldest January ever recorded was in 1918, when the average temperature was what must have been a truly bone-chilling 11.4 degrees.
It may come as a surprise that 13.9 inches fell in Ann Arbor in January. That’s 2.5 inches below normal snowfall for the month, but still ranks the month at the 37th snowiest January since 1880, Kahlbaum said. Snow fell in small amounts and melted soon after, Kahlbaum said.
For a little perspective on January snowfall, consider this: The most ever recorded in January was 36 inches in 1999. Folks in 1891 had it a lot easier. Only .3 inch fell that year.
Ann Arbor area residents can expect the mild weather to continue for the rest of the week, though no more 50-degree days are in sight.
After a high in the mid-40s Wednesday afternoon, the forecast calls for partly to mostly sunny days through Sunday and highs in the upper 30s to low 40s. Sunday night will bring a chance of snow showers with a low around 27.
For updated weather conditions and forecasts anytime, visit AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Comments
K32
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
If this is global warming, bring it on.
Mike
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
As usual to the request for more information regarding other years and their temps, this is the best I could do right now <a href="http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistory/PastWeatherData_AnnArborMuniArpt_AnnArbor_MI_January.html" rel='nofollow'>http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistory/PastWeatherData_AnnArborMuniArpt_AnnArbor_MI_January.html</a> Typical internet searches - the data is obviously out there, and it was recorded by government (paid for by our taxes) organizations, yet, it typically is almost impossible to find. I'm going to keep looking because I think I can get ahold of someone who might be able to point me in the right direction, but the above should be a decent start. That being said, you have to realize that climate change (in any direction) is not a one month, or one season, or one year proposition. A cold winter followed by a milder than normal Spring, a hot summer, and a milder Fall can be warmer or colder than a extremely cold (or warm) winter followed by a warmer or colder Spring, a warmer or colder Summer, etc. And 3 cold years followed by 2 not so cold years, (or warm) doesn't mean we are getting colder or warmer. And you can't look at one location. Alaska and parts of Europe are getting slammed this winter. We aren't. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. You have to look at multi-year trends over the globe to determine any kind of long term trends. And a trend does NOT predict the next year in the least. Look out the window all you want, enjoy the weather we're having. It's going to change regardless. Right now long term trends are showing warmer temperatures than normal. They themselves are not predicting them. Search it out, compare the data to anyone supposedly spouting off about their personal predictions. Find their predictions from 10 years ago (or more). See if they're right or wrong. Use your intelligence, not somebody who is only looking out his or her window. It's not easy, but it can be immensely satisfying.
WalkingJoe
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
I like the way you think Mike and I agree wholeheartedly. I am 58 and can remember as a kid listening to all the adults saying they couldn't remember ever having weather like this or that. Remember the old saying? " The more things change the more they stay the same."
Andrew
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
And the only picture they could find for this article is of some guy in a NYU shirt and some other dude in a vest, and everyone in the background is wearing a coat. Who takes these things?
aabikes
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Is the data available for what the 2nd-12th warmest years were? I'm curious if Ann Arbor is experiencing the same trend as average global temps; of which the warmest years on record are overwhelmingly from this century. Thank you.
evenyoubrutus
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
Before we have a OMG GLOBAL WARMING!!!1! meltdown, here's something to think about: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2093264/Forget-global-warming--Cycle-25-need-worry-NASA-scientists-right-Thames-freezing-again.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2093264/Forget-global-warming--Cycle-25-need-worry-NASA-scientists-right-Thames-freezing-again.html</a>
WalkingJoe
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
@stillatownie, as compared to...?
WalkingJoe
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
@evenyoubrutus, thanks for the link to a very interesting article. I think the biggest thing I got out of it is that even the experts aren't sure about global warming/climate change and what is or isn't causing it.
stillatownie
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
FYI, The Daily Mail has a terrible reputation for science reporting.