January weather report

Wetter and colder, but less snow than last January

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 1/1/2012 2:00:00 AM

Last January trended cooler than the year prior and below average. Cooler weather mid-month was sandwiched between a warmer start and end to January with the Eastern United States bearing the brunt of the cold. Precipitation was the fourth-least in more than 19 years, with a large portion of the nation trending much drier than the year before. Despite drier conditions, precipitation that did fall was mostly snow with many cities in the Northeast, North Central and Southern United States seeing records fall as several storms pounded these regions.
     This month will trend cooler than last year and normal across the West. The East will trend much warmer, but only well above normal in the Southeast. Precipitation will be more than last year, but at or below normal in the East.
     Following last year's exceptional snowfall, there will be less snow for the nation as a whole this year, but above the average, except in the Southeast. Less snowfall in the Southeast may present more opportunities this year for outdoor living categories.

TEMPERATURE
	NATIONAL JANUARY TEMPERATURE INDEX
PRECIPITATION
	NATIONAL JANUARY PRECIPITATION INDEX