4Warn Weather – After we saw temperatures swings throughout the month of December with a well above average temperature for Christmas, we’ve been keeping an eye on our winter weather changes as we look ahead into the start of 2024.
The Climate Prediction Center has issued their precipitation and temperature outlook for January 2024:
Temperature: Above Average - The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an above average trend for temperatures for January 2024 from the Western United States through the Upper Midwest and into the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States including the State of Michigan.
Precipitation: Below Average - The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a below average trend for precipitation for January 2024 over the Great Lakes and into the Ohio Valley with the highest probability of below average precipitation from Indianapolis to Cincinnati, but Metro Detroit and Southeastern Michigan is also included in this trend. The above average trend for precipitation is forecast for the Southwestern United States and for the West Coast of the United States.
Southeastern Michigan remains forecast for an El Nino Winter, which continues to be the main driver for the atmospheric circulation pattern. This means that an active jet stream across the Southern United States that would direct storms away from the area. More often than not, El Nino winters are drier and warmer than normal across the region.
Despite the odds favoring a milder and drier winter overall, that does not rule out cold outbreaks and/or periods of heavy snow which remain possible like in any other winter.
The averages for Detroit for the Month of January:
- Average High: 32.3°
- Average Low: 19.2°
- Average Monthly Precipitation: 2.23″
- Average Monthly Snowfall: 14.0″