JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bundle up this weekend! While the chill lingers, a dramatic warmup is on the horizon.
This January brought over a dozen official freezes, but the cold’s grip will soon loosen. Though frosty mornings persist this weekend, they could be the season’s last gasp. Last February not one freeze occurred marking an early end to Winter and we should see a repeat this year.
Our Winter will start to fade fast
A pattern reversal arrives next week, replacing arctic air with milder breezes and pushing temperatures into the 70s. February brings even more warmth, with the potential for 80-degree days.
The jet stream’s new, less wavy path blocks frigid air from reaching as far south, providing a much-needed break from the chill. This shift follows a weather pattern called the Negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO), which brought colder conditions earlier in January.
As we move into the second half of January, weather models predict a shift to the Positive Phase of the NAO and AO.
So, keep those winter coats handy for a few more days, Jacksonville, but get ready to trade the parkas for the shorts. Spring weather is on its way!
