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| Balmy Christmas Morning Temperatures, Bethesda, MD |
Temperatures have been
more than 11 degrees warmer than average in Washington, D.C. through December
28. This month has had 14 days with high
temperatures in the 60s or warmer – which is more characteristic of April than December –
in addition to another 10 days with high temperatures in the 50s. December’s highest average daily high
temperature in the Nation’s Capital is 52 degrees on the first of the month. However, by December 7 daily average highs
fall to the 40s where they remain for the rest of the month.
Temperatures have been
warmer than average on all but two days so far this month. For example, it’s been in the 70s on three
days this December officially at National Airport. That’s the highest such total Washingtonians
have enjoyed since there were four days in the 70s in December 2001. Those longing for snow on Christmas Day were
faced with a high temperature of 69 degrees – 25 degrees warmer than the
average high in the Nation’s Capital. Washington,
D.C. was appreciably warmer than it was in Phoenix on Christmas where it was
only 61 degrees.
Aside from skiers, not many people have been complaining as the lack of wintery precipitation made travel easier across the eastern United States. Washington, D.C. set two record highs this month while Baltimore had five record highs this month. Conversely, significant winter weather has affected many areas of the western United States, as New Mexico, Texas and the mountains of California have had prolific amounts of snow.
However, such unusual
weather is bound to correct itself. NOAA’s
temperature outlook for early-2016 is calling for an equal chance of above or
below average temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The seven-day forecast my colleagues and I on
the WUSA9 weather team are preparing includes more average temperatures in the mid 40s starting on January 1, 2016
New Record Highs (Degrees Fahrenheit)
December 24:Washington, D.C. (National Airport): 71
Dulles Airport, Sterling, Virginia: 71
Baltimore, Maryland (BWI Airport): 71
December 27:
Baltimore, Maryland (BWI Airport): 69
Baltimore, Maryland (BWI Airport): 69
WOW Chris...can't believe that Phoenix was colder than Washington on Christmas Day! I'm just sorry we missed the 61 degree day in Phoenix on Christmas. When we arrived in Scottsdale the day after Christmas the high was somewhere in the low 50's and very windy. We were relieved though because in NM there was a blizzard with snow and ice for most of the state. And, how about that tornado in Texas?! Very unusual for this time of year I'm sure. Hope you enjoy the more seasonal weather this week.
ReplyDeleteDecember was a truly remarkable month. Even the Rose Bowl in Pasadena was quite chilly yesterday. That was a big snowstorm in eastern NM and TX last week. Unfortunately, the tornadoes were deadly (many of which came from the same storm - see my December 31 column). No more 60s and 70s on the seven day forecast here but we were spoiled last month. 40s are average though. Any snow left on the ground in Santa Fe?
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