It was another warm year, with another warm winter already started. We’ve just stepped into 2025, but already, this year feels different. Specifically, it feels cold.

As the year begins, the Northern Plains are experiencing the first tastes of below normal temperatures, but the cold is only going to intensify this week. A few ripples along the jet stream are going to drive the mean jet southward, which will allow for low temperatures to look like this by next Tuesday.

That is below freezing as far south as the Mexican border. There may be frost at Disney World. Areas that typically don’t see air this cold are the ones most impacted by these kinds of readings. The cold is less remarkable because of the magnitude of the temperatures, but rather where they are found.

The broad trough hosting this cold air is going to have a stubborn streak, and will remain in place for a while. I’ve just included the day 6-10 outlook, but every outlook from the Climate Prediction Center paints a similar picture through 1 month!

Welcome to 2025, and more to the point, welcome to January.