A colder trend for the West-central/Central U.S. initiated last night for next week. The colder change is inspired by increasing snow cover in the Great Plains.

Weather within climate is what's most important to the public and industry. Winter 2021-22 is warmer than normal so far for the U.S. But that assessment is the average of a near record warm December and a cold mid-winter pattern change.

Another arctic air mass sweeps into the Northeast U.S. trailing an Alberta Clipper early next week. ECM indicates the cold may be the strongest of the season for this region.

January 2022 averaged middle-of-the-road regarding national temperature average while dryness was dominant including the second driest January on record for California and Nevada.