ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Western New York has just emerged from a prolonged stretch of bitter cold, a period that likely tested the patience, and resilience, of many Rochesterians.
Weather data confirm the persistence of this chill, with temperatures running below average for more than 14 consecutive days. The downturn began near Thanksgiving and extended well into December. Only within the past couple of days have we finally returned to more seasonable conditions, with temperatures rebounding into the 40s and even low 50s across the Rochester area.
That said, true Arctic air remains uncomfortably close by. Just north of the Canadian border, across western Canada, temperatures are currently ranging from 20 to 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. The recent moderation locally can be attributed to a shift in the upper-level wind pattern, including a repositioning of the jet stream that temporarily shifted the coldest air masses farther north.
Looking ahead to the 8-to-14-day outlook, which carries us through the end of December, climate guidance suggests slightly above-average temperatures for our region. This does not rule out periodic shots of colder air, but it does introduce some uncertainty as to the likelihood of a white Christmas this year.
The post First Alert Weather In-Depth: Rochester finally gets a break from the deep freeze appeared first on WHEC.com.
