Meteorologists look at winter as December, January and February, which are statistically the coldest months. Astronomical winter, which is when the direct rays of the sun reach the southern-most point on the globe, begins December 21.

Meteorological winter started almost perfectly on cue. High temperatures have been well below normal every day since November 30. December highs have not broken 40 degrees, and we have only been above freezing a few times so far.

The jet stream has taken on a true winter pattern the last few weeks, allowing for the cold temps and the frequent bouts of snow. This scenario has caused a good chunk of the country to have snow cover. Any time winds try to steer milder air into the region, it travels over the snow pack and cools any warming effect.

However, it looks like we'll see a brief and minor change to the jet stream later this week. If it does verify as expected, temperatures will return to seasonable levels by Friday.









































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