Do y'all remember watching the miniseries "Roots" when warnings of natural gas shortages were being flashed across TV screens in the northeast US during that frigid month? Well...do ya?
Growing up in rural PA and heating primarily with wood at the time, this really made no never mind to me. Also being of the care-free age of ice skating, playing pond hockey, and sledding for a month continuously, I thought this was an awesome experience! But much to the chagrin of my folks and many others, this 1977 January month was a true hardship; as will be January 2014 for many across the eastern half of the US including the deep south. Here are the 850 mb anomalies...Brrrr...
Although a major snowstorm might be hard to come by, the cold will load and reload with a vengeance through Super Bowl Sunday! Let me quickly show you the FIVE DAY MEANS over the next 15 days. These are quite incredible seeing that they are 5 day means! FIVE DAYS! Here is the GFS for the 5 days ending next Friday....Brrrrrr...
Here are the next 5 days ending the middle of the last week of January...
The GFS suggests a progressive pattern, one that Obama likes; however, I believe this western ridge will lock in for about 3-4 weeks thus re-occurring shots of arctic cold will be sent sliding down our way! Look at the Euro's 850 temps...VERY COLD! Oh...and by the way, there is more arctic air re-building once this motherlode unloads!
Please remember these graphics are in degrees Celsius...meaning you can essentially double the Temps to convert to degrees F! Here is the 850 temps for next weekend from the Euro...bundle and buckle up!
So what am I trying to say? Cold and getting colder!
As the days lengthen, winter's chill strengthens! I guess whoever made up those old time weather folklores knew what they were talking about! I just wish they had some insights into tomorrow's NFL Championship games for me...I mean, I think these games are about as evenly matched in all aspects! Denver at home is such an advantage, but giving Belichick a week for anybody (...and let's face the facts, he's been preparing for 2 weeks!), he is a master at the game. Just sayin'...
As for the NFC, I'll be in my sunroom rolling dice to see who I should pick in that game. Maybe the best play is OVER since both teams seem to have such a solid D that one broken play, special team fiasco, QB scramble, etc will break the ice and allow for the flood gates to open...just a hunch! Again, that is the Niner's best offensive weapon, plus the never aging Frank Gore!
So take the Pats plus the points and the over in the NFC! But more importantly, bundle up the next few weeks as we have some serious cold on the move...AGAIN! Coldest January since 1977 I do believe!
Enjoy your MLK and NFL Championship week's end!
Smitty
AA: Cold! (and mostly dry).
