Close to the summit, perhaps?

We are half way through the meteorological winter. Climatologist lump December, January and February together to more conveniently track seasonal historical records. Image that, scientists trying to keep things simple!

While the long term daily weather records document a slow rise in average temperatures commences on the 18th of January, this happens to be the day we will begin to experience the blustery blast of arctic air that Minnesotans love to celebrate with Winter Carnivals and such.

Perhaps this mid point of winter will also coincide with reaching the summit of bitter cold. But long time meteorologists have learned not to boldly proclaim that this may be as cold as it gets. Groundhogs day has long been notorious for frigid temperatures. Consider the minus 32 in the Twin Cities on February 2nd, 1996.

We will share in this slug of arctic air with a large part of the nation’s midsection. Even Asheville, North Carolina, home to some of the happiest people in the USA, is looking at snow and cold. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for tonight, where two to four inches of snow may accumulate.

Asheville, NC forecast

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