Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1998

Meteorologists predict unseasonably warm weather will soon change

By MARY JORDAN
Collegian Staff Writer

The unseasonably warm weather last week may have felt like spring, but Old Man Winter has just begun to fight.

Last week's temperatures were comfortably in the 50s and even in the upper 60s, but the pleasant weather is quickly coming to an end, said Mark Tobin, AccuWeather meteorologist. Temperatures for the rest of the week will average 30 degrees, he said.

"The warm weather has been very comfortable," said Janet Klose (freshman-business). "I'm just sad that it has to become bitter and cold again."

Normal temperatures for January range from the upper teens to low 30s. Last year, temperatures averaged one degree above normal, while this year, they are 20 degrees above normal, Tobin said.

The recent warm weather has nature mixed-up. Flowers, such as the one here, are not supposed to pop up from the ground until the spring months of April and May, but the unusually warm weather has caused them to surface two months early. (Collegian Photo / Andrea Elizabeth Kohler - click for full size image)

So far this year, Tobin said precipitation is averaging a little more than two inches higher than last year's average, adding that the normal amount is less than one inch.

"Expect a wintry mix of precipitation by the end of the week," he said.

That wintry mix could include snow, sleet and freezing rain, he said, predicting that there may be snow by the end of the week.

Students should be prepared for the changing weather in order to prevent illness.

"(It's wise to) keep a winter jacket handy," Tobin said.

The warm weather has also been affecting patronage at local businesses.

Christie Lilley, employee at Tussey Mountain Ski Area in Boalsburg, said the area has been closed since Jan. 5. Tussey Mountain plans to reopen today, she said.

Appalachian Ski and Outdoors, 324 W. College Ave., has also been affected by the warm weather, owner Geoff Brugler said.

"The worse the weather, the busier we get," Brugler said, adding that business has been slower than usual.

Temperatures will return to normal by the end of the week, but some students, such as Robyn Gibbs (freshman-mathematics), are not looking forward to the change.

"I wish it could be in the 60s all year 'round," she said.