Last fall, the general consensus among weather forecasters was that most of the Central and Eastern United States would likely endure a colder, snowier winter than it is used to. But instead, the third week in January – climatologically the coldest week of the year – is ushering in temperatures some 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average across the eastern two-thirds of the country. For example, Chicago may hit 55 F (12.8 C) on Saturday. The recent milder temperatures have also diminished snow cover to below-average levels everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains – save the Dakotas – and any snow that is left is almost certain to melt over the next week or so. What has happened is that several of the atmospheric “ingredients” that would power the chilly season have instead opted to go rogue from what the outlooks had originally predicted. The winter started off cold and […]