Enjoying the January thaw
After an interesting weather month in December with periods of cold and snow along with several nice breaks that allowed some mild sunny days to creep back into play, the overall month ended up just a tad below normal in the temperature department and above normal snowfall.
The long-term average is just 7 inches of the white stuff and this December most areas had between 14 and 18 inches. Even with all the snow, Christmas was green and mild this year.
Just about every January we are treated to a nice break from the cold and snow. The thaw usually lasts a few days, bringing mild air with temperatures in the 60s and sometimes we see a 70 or better temperature.
On January 3, 1950 we reached 65 followed by 71 on the 4th, then at the end of the month with 71, 79, and 70 on the 24th, 25th, and 26th.
About the only year we did not have a thaw was 1977 when the average temperature in Uniontown was just 14 degrees with many days below zero for morning highs. We had one day when the temperature did not even make zero for the high. Our three rivers in Pittsburgh were completely frozen over with no barge traffic that created fuel shortages and disrupted normal life for much of the month. 1977 still has six days in our record books for extreme cold temperatures. We just did not get a break until later in February.
January is also a nice month to take a break from the cold snow and dirty cars. We got away for a few days and enjoyed some delightful time in the sun and visits with family. The weather was perfect with sunshine and not a cloud.
Flying out of our new airport in Pittsburgh was a real pleasant experience. The newly completed terminal offers much more parking, plus easier security and check in features. Our airport offers direct flights to 57 destinations in the US and also direct flights to Ireland, England and Mexico.
I did forget to pick up my phone after going through security and just as I hurried back some 10 minutes later a nice employee asked if this might be my phone? There was a picture of my great granddaughter smiling at me and without question the TSA employee wished me a good flight.
Most of Southwestern Pennsylvania is less than an hour’s drive to the airport. Temperatures in the 70s along with sunshine and a pleasant experience make for a nice break from the cold and dreary days of winter.
A bit of sunshine and mild temperatures will lift your spirits whether it’s just our January thaw or a few days on a January vacation.