January thaw breaks heat records

This week got off to a rather warm start across the Inland Northwest. Record-breaking temperatures were reported in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area on Sunday. The temperature at Spokane International Airport soared to 55 degrees last Sunday, breaking the record of 54 degrees set in 1935.

In Coeur d’Alene, the 56-degree reading in the northwestern portion of town broke the record of 49 degrees set back in 1959.

It’s not uncommon to see temperatures climb to above normal levels in January. A “January thaw” comes as air flow patterns are directed from a milder southerly region, rather than from the north.

Much of our moisture this month has come in the form of rain. At the airport, we’ve picked up 1.91 inches of rain and melted snow, which is a little more than 0.40 of an inch above average. Coeur d’Alene has received a 3.86 inches of moisture for January.

It appears that the high pressure ridge that’s been locked in over the southwestern portion of the country will finally weaken sometime in early February. More rain should come to our region in early February, and I wouldn’t be too surprised to see some snowfall as we head toward the middle of next month. It’s possible we could see a decent amount, even in the lower elevations.

To the south, California has gone from record rains late last year to much below normal moisture totals in January, thanks to the high pressure system. The Golden State should start to see more rain and snow in February as well.

As far as the Super Bowl is concerned, there may be a few showers around late this week in Glendale, Arizona, but Sunday’s game should be partly sunny with temperatures in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees.