THE COLDEST TIME OF THE YEAR, TYPICALLY

It's winter so of course it's cold. But there is a time of the season when it's *usually* the coldest. This is determined using average temperatures -- temperatures collected over 30 year periods and averaged out.

In the Upper Midwest that period of time is about now.. January 13th to the 21st.

Here's a list of the averages for January and I've highlighted this timeframe for Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City and Moline:

Now it doesn't mean it's always going to be the coldest time of the year. However, once we get past this our average temperatures do start to go UP! Right now the Climate Prediction Center does have the area in a decent chance of below normal temperatures:

Snow has been on the ground for about three weeks, so that does play a role in keeping temperatures cool too. There is the possibility of much colder air coming next weekend, but there isn't a signal for prolonged bitter cold in the short term.

We did add some new snow to the pack this weekend, most of it in eastern Iowa. Here are some of the totals from Saturday night to Sunday:

Temperatures will be near normal to start the new week. Monday:

Tuesday:

We get a little bump up above freezing on Wednesday:

Temperatures start to go back down and thee will be another chance for wintry precipitation over the weekend.

It's a little too soon for details, but we'll be watching this weekend/early next week for another storm.

RK