In a curious turn of events in late February 2023, the cities of Atlanta (81 degrees), Nashville (85 degrees), and Raleigh (85 degrees) experienced their highest winter month temperatures on record. This stark contrast from the previous month is evident when comparing the January temperature anomalies map. According to Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2, the United States endured its chilliest January since at least 2014. The upcoming release of NOAA’s January U.S. climate report on Monday will offer further insights into the extent of the cold snap that gripped the Lower 48 states.
The month of January was marked by a series of four major winter storms within a span of three weeks, commencing with Winter Storm Blair and climaxing with the unprecedented Gulf Coast Winter Storm Enzo. In the aftermath of Winter Storm Enzo, record low temperatures were set in New Iberia (2 degrees), Lafayette (4 degrees), Baton Rouge (19 degrees), and New Orleans’ Lakefront Airport (26 degrees).
As of January 27, 2025, temperature anomalies reveal a departure from the average, as reported by Jonathan Erdman, a seasoned meteorologist at weather.com with over two decades of experience in reporting on national and international weather phenomena. Erdman is particularly drawn to extreme and unusual weather occurrences. For more updates, you can connect with him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.
