Highs in the 60s, short sleeves and laying out in the sun are usually associated with spring. But in January, these are unusual activities.
The past month, specifically last week, brought higher than average temperatures due largely to a La Nina that North Carolina is currently experiencing, Vernon Turner, senior in meteorology said.
“A La Nina lasts for 5 months time, and usually that deals with increase in temperatures [in our region],” Turner said.
Turner said while the La Nina is a driving factor in the current weather pattern, there are several factors that have come together at once.
“The La Nina is the most well-known factor, but the atlantic oscillation is a big factor,” Turner said, “Basically all of the factors that make the temperature rise are happening at the same time.”
Turner, who interned for ABC 11, said temperatures from last year were drastically different from this year. Several inches of snow fell, and temperatures remained persistently cold throughout the winter.
“The only time we had cold temperatures [this year] was the beginning,” Turner said.
Justin Allen, senior in meteorology said he also believes that the La Nina is a large factor in the unusually high temperature.
Allen said water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean lower during a La Nina, causing temperatures to transfer into the air.
“I grew up in the Outer Banks and I remember a La Nina from the early thousands,” Allen said, “I just remember water temperatures being really warm in January.”
Allen said although many people may jump to the conclusion of global warming, that is an unlikely factor in the recent splurge in temperatures.
“It’s just the climate doing what the climate does,” Allen said, “It’s not global warming, this is just the world has been for the past million years.”
Turner said he also doesn’t see a connection between the current weather and global warming.
“You have to remember that this last year during this time, it was actually really cold,” Turner said, “This year it’s just warmer than usual because of the La Nina period.”
Regardless of the reason, many students have decided to enjoy the weather outside while it lasts, Josh Poole, sophomore in engineering, said he has enjoyed the weather thus far.
“I like it, it’s nice, but it’s weird to have this weather in January,” Poole said.
Although temperatures are expected to stay milder than usual, Turner and Allen both said snow may still be in the cards for this winter.
“After looking at models, I saw that we might have a chance for some winter weather next weekend,” Turner said
Turner said the winter weather may not necessarily bring snow, but it will be colder, and snow is a possibility.
Allen believes the temperatures will get colder, and said snow in March is not unheard of either.
“It’s going to get cold eventually, it’s just a matter of time,” Allen said.
