In spite of the warming temperature trend in the Arctic described in the other story I posted today, this year has been an exception. The polar vortex this year has been tightly contracted around the North Pole, leading to very cold temperatures in the interior of Alaska and an increase (at least for this year) of sea ice in the Arctic. But because all that cold air has not extended into the mid-latitudes, we have experienced one of the warmest Januaries on record across the US, leading people to wonder if we will ever see any cold air. Bob Henson of Weather Underground discusses this year’s weather pattern and how it may change in the next few weeks, potentially bringing colder air back to the US. You can read more here.
