Winter 2025 weather outlook January

[eDJ_]

Those who are traveling in January may want to take stock of what this map offers:

(just a heads up)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/january-winters-worst-snow-cold-150039865.html

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[WanderingRose]

I will be hunkered down at home this winter, have plenty of firewood and would actually welcome some snow.

 

[eDJ_]

Two important things for those new to winter nomad traveling to know.

In the east around the Great Lakes there is something known as Lake Effect Snows. Sometimes called Alberta Clippers which are generally fast events. (Red arrows) The Arctic winds blow from the Alberta, Canada area to the south east.
In the case of a "Nor-Easter" eastern wind off the east coast (Green arrows) the snows can go westward. This because the Great Lakes are much like an inland ocean with loads of moisture above it.



If you are traveling in the west, moisture from the Pacific Ocean will be carried inland by the prevailing west to east winds carrying moisture rain/snow. (Red arrows) This generally is stopped or deflected by the Rocky Mountain range.



The Red diagonal line across Colorado (marking the Front Range) shows where the rain and snowfall from Pacific tends to stop because the air from the west recedes back down the slope instead of up over the top of the mountains. This is because Colorado is far inland from the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, so that moisture has to travel a long distance before reaching the state.

Still on occasion "upslope storms" will carry precipitation a great distance onto the Front Range region. These storms tend to come from the south east with events such as Pacific cyclonic storms in the Pacific along with the Jet Stream that will draw air in from the Gulf of Mexico. This tends to happen in the cooler months of the year.

Some things to bear in mind if traveling thru these parts of the USA in the winter months.

 

[rruff]

It's been unusually warm in the SW, both at 7,000 ft in Ruidoso and here north of Yuma where the forecast says sunny and highs in the mid 70s for the next two weeks. No snow or cold is predicted for Ruidoso either, even though it's in the "2nd snowiest" band on the map.

 

[eDJ_]

It's been quite warm here for this time of year too. But the weather man on the noon news says that that is about change and get quite cold in the next few days. So I'm on my way to run errands and get things done so I can sit out the storm when it arrives. We had 40 mph wind gust here last night. So I have my generator ready, food and water provisions, heat & light back up, and even a Franklin T10 WIFI hot spot I checked out of the library. (and it is fast internet from the cell towers too)

Even though I'm in the sticks & bricks I have numerous power outages here. Without power the furnace blower motor doesn't work nor does the well pump for water. I have 20 gallons of water reserve. I have battery lights, kerosene lamps & candles (which I intend to get away from using) and am generally prepared for the worst.

 

[eDJ_]

By means of explaining the Upslope Storm. The Pacific Cyclone events will create low pressure areas along the western coast. When the Jet Stream happens to drop down far enough it will align winds from the Gulf of Mexico (or even Gulf of California) to draw moist air into the eastern Mountain side. (the Front Range)

Many people have been trapped in these winter weather events in their vehicles for days. Even people who live in that region and are aware of the dangers.

 

[maki2]

So head to Quartzsite or Yuma

 

[twomountainlions]

I was hit by 60 mph wind gusts crossing Western NV this year and 70mph earlier this year in TX, in a tall rig, not fun.

 

[eDJ_]

January's weather is shaping up to be rather cold all across the USA. Yes, it's winter. Yet for those traveling in it in vehicles that are less durable than sticks & bricks structures, taking heed of the dangers should be a first concern. Stay safe and check for weather updates often. Own a weather radio.



2025 To Start With A Frigid Blast And Potential For Wintry Weather

During this January season the weather can change quickly and staying aware of it important for those who travel and live in their rigs. This video explains the problems associated with long range forecasting while using a Pachinko Game Board to illustrate the complexity of rapidly changing circumstances. (a clever way of explaining it....if you've ever played Pachinko)



The Reality of Long Range Forecast

Weathered in ? Play Pachinko Here for Free (and other Sega games)

Free to play Sega Games

 

[eDJ_]

Who is getting (or got) massive snowfall today ? 8 to 10 inches forecast for my area today. I"m ready but hoping I don't have to rely on all of my backup stuff.

 

[Sky King]

24 & sunny here, 1.2" of snow predicted on Wednesday. Haven't been plowed yet.

 

[eDJ_]

Here is today's weather map 1/5/2025



BBC:

Severe winter storm puts much of US on high alert




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[Sky King]

Here's our 10 day forecast, I don't know why it printed vertical
Sun 1/5
Mon 1/6
Tue 1/7
Wed 1/8
Thu 1/9
Fri 1/10
Sat 1/11
Sun 1/12
Mon 1/13
Tue 1/14
26° | 20°F
Mostly Cloudy
24° | 19°F
AM Clouds/PM Sun
29° | 21°F
Cloudy
25° | 14°F
Snow Showers
24° | 15°F
Partly Cloudy
27° | 22°F
PM Snow Showers
29° | 22°F
Cloudy
29° | 23°F
Cloudy
29° | 20°F
Cloudy
26° | 19°F
Cloudy

 

[maki2]

Normal January weather in Quartzsite, highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s and 50s. Some moderately strong wind gust in the afternoons in the 30mph range expected this Wednesday and Thursday.
It is the usual situation where when you do the nomad thing of chasing 70 degrees then the 60 degree, breezy weather starts to feel like it’s actually cold weather.

 

[eDJ_]

A wind chill index chart.

How do you know it is too cold to be outdoors ?

It has to be really cold temperature wise (excluding the winds influence)

Purse your lips together loosely and blow gently. If it makes the sound of a whistle, then get indoors.

 

[Sky King]

The colder it gets the dryer the air so many times it feels colder at temps near 30 than 10 or less. Snow crunches more the colder it gets. Once we left the cabin in the UP going to the Porky's on snow machines, stopped at a dealer & found it was under 30 below. You get warm just before freezing to death

 

[eDJ_]

The local TV Station is running PSA's now explaining that West Virginia is prepareidness status and closing all Government Buildings until further announcement, Kentucky is closing their Govt similar. Kentucky has reported many wrecks across the state from this weather event.

Nothing yet from Ohio but it likely be just the southern part of the state.

OSU.edu news:

Buckeyes asked to plan ahead for return to campuses​

Snowfall expected through Monday across Ohio

 

[eDJ_]

USA Today now reports that over 60 Million people in 12 states are affected by this Winter Storm. PBS Evening News reported 7 million will be affected in areas where this storm will turn into a Blizzard. My local TV station was reporting that
70% of deaths in these types of Winter Storms occur in vehicles.

The TV Station in Charleston,WV (State Capital) reported that there are vehicle wrecks now on nearly every road in the state.

USA Today:
Winter snow storm slams into over a dozen states in the East, Midwest: See photos

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