MOST OF NATION FEELING THE BIG CHILL January 23, 2003 — Dangerous and bitterly cold temperatures seeping down from the Arctic region have plunged most of the nation into a deep freeze, which NOAA National Weather Service forecasters said may get worse Thursday before improving by the weekend. Meanwhile, a winter storm was hammering parts of North Carolina, where up to 10 inches were expected in the Outer Banks. The NOAA National Weather Service issued wind-chill warnings or advisories from eastern Records for January 24, 2003 Location Type New Old Perry, Fla. Low (tied) 19 in 1963 Panama City, Fla. Low 20 26 in 1994 Cross City, Fla. Low 21 24 in 1960 Daytona Beach, Fla. Low 25 28 in 1985 Orlando, Fla. Low 27 32 in 1987 Tampa, Fla. Low 27 30 in 1960 Lakeland Linder, Fla. Low 27 30 in 1987 Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. Low (tied) 29 in 1960 Melbourne, Fla. Low 29 33 in 1960 Vero Beach, Fla. Low 30 33 in 1987 Fort Myers, Fla. Low (tied) 32 in 1960 Tavernier, Fla. Low 40 45 in 1960Montana and North Dakota southeast across states in the northern Plains, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions. The strongest winds (15 - 25 mph) are likely along the East Coast from New England to South Carolina. Wind chill temperature readings are expected to range near zero in the Carolinas, to minus 10 degrees in New England. “Even the slightest wind, combined with these low temperatures, makes conditions outside almost unbearable,” said Ed Danaher, a senior meteorologist at the NOAA National Weather Service. “It’s best to stay inside and not venture out for long periods.” A sagging jet stream has allowed a massive area of cold air from Siberia to sink farther south into the United States. Danaher said no temperature records were recorded Thursday morning, but the cold air should shatter records throughout the Southeast on Friday. On Monday, a gust of wind was clocked at 54 mph in Keansbury, N.J., and in Barnstable County, Mass., on Wednesday a wind gust of 60 mph was recorded. Danaher said the strong winds across New England should ease by Thursday afternoon and over the Carolinas by Friday. El Niño Not To Blame
Mike Halpert, a meteorologist at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, which issues outlooks for El Niño, La Niña and seasonal changes, said the climate phenomenon El Niño is not responsible for the cold air outbreak. “If anything, this cold pattern is not typically experienced during El Niño periods—at least not the past few El Niños.” Slow Return To Normal
Danaher said a “slow moderating trend” will begin early next week, but temperatures will not return to their seasonal average until next Friday east of the Rocky Mountains. “The cold will linger a bit, but the good news is it won’t be as cold as we’ve felt,” he said. In its most recent outlook for February, CPC forecasters said much of the northern and western U.S. should begin experiencing above-normal temperatures, while below-normal temperatures are forecast from Texas to Florida. Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Storm Watch NOAA National Weather Service NOAA's Daily Temperature Analyses — Graphics NOAA's USA Regional Climate Maps Media Contact:
John Leslie, NOAA National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622
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