Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Storms to hammer Central, Eastern US with flood, wind threat Chevron right
Dangerous heat and humidity to grip the Southeast Chevron right

Columbus, OH

91°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

91°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

January's springlike warmth kicks off the growing season early in parts of the US

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Jan 25, 2020 10:47 PM EDT

Copied

Although it's January, you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at a thermometer. Many areas across the eastern United States have been experiencing temperatures more typical of March and April.

Temperatures are typically at their lowest during this time of year in the U.S. when the days are at their shortest; however, the region has had an increase in temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees above average.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert, the warmth came from a strong high pressure area that kept the flow over the area out of the south with few storms that brought cold air in from the north and west, mainly Canada.

According to Travis, areas from Texas and Florida Gulf coasts to the Great Lakes and the Northeast have been running noticeably warmer than normal so far in January.

This springlike warmth has even tricked some plants into thinking it is time to sprout with early budbreak seen in many locations.

"Usually the start of the growing season is defined by the estimated last frost date in a region. With springlike warmth across much of the south and east, there have been fewer frosts which have allowed plants to think it's safe to emerge," AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis said.

A seedling sprouts in a field. Image via Getty Images/stevanovicigor

"The start to the average start to the growing season is either in March or the first half of April from central Texas to southern Kansas, all the way east to the Florida Panhandle and up to eastern Virginia," Travis said.

"Cities from Houston to Atlanta to Chicago to Boston have all been running 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal through Jan. 24," Travis said.

Temperatures have soared as high as the 60s to the low 70s across the region.

Buffalo, New York, has been roughly 8.8 degrees higher than usual during the month of January, while Boston, Massachusetts, has been about 8.9 degrees higher than average.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Boston experienced record highs in the 70s on consecutive January days for the first time since record-keeping began in 1872.

"Temperatures this high are more characteristic of the normal temperatures for March, or even April," Travis said.

Related:

Australians told to be on alert for deadly spider after heat, recent rain
Iguanas spring to life after being stunned by cold spell in Florida
Iceberg building appears in Siberia during dead of winter

AccuWeather meteorologists expect near- to slightly above-normal temperatures to reign across the region through the end of January.

However, people enjoying these nice temperatures across the East shouldn't get used to the unusually warm weather for too long.

AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok forecasts abnormally warm air is not expected to hold out all the way into spring.

"It will be a rather slow transition to spring in March for the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Northeast, with lingering snow, chilly air and more rain to the south," Pastelok said.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Gamer struck by lightning while streaming

Jul. 25, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Wildfire risk to escalate across western US through end of July

Jul. 26, 2025
Weather News

Dozens feared killed after plane crashes in Russia’s Far East

Jul. 24, 2025
Weather News

The day Niagara Falls ran dry: Here's what it looked like

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to bring a risk for flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Hurricane

Tropical development lurking in the Gulf for late July

Jul. 22, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Storms to hammer Central and Eastern US with flood, wind threat

4 hours ago

Weather News

Southwest Airlines jet dives as a fighter jet crosses its path near LA

21 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Cooler days ahead? Major shift coming to the Northeast

6 hours ago

Weather News

Flash flooding hits Ruidoso again, prompts water rescues

1 day ago

Hurricane

Hawaii braces for gusty winds as Pacific tropics heat up

3 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Travel

AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off

3 days ago

Weather News

Firefighters rescue four cows from quicksand on riverbank

3 days ago

Weather News

South Korea's president proclaims disaster after 19 die in flooding

2 days ago

Weather News

Hershey says it is hiking chocolate prices

3 days ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

4 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News January's springlike warmth kicks off the growing season early in parts of the US
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...