The winter weather has shifted once again. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker tells KNIA/KRLS News that the mild winter will likely continue. He says that overall this January was our 19th least snowy, and about the same for average high recorded temperatures in Marion County. He says that the feeling of a warm winter has been amplified by the fact that the previous several winters we were well above average for snowfall amounts, and had colder then average temperatures. He says that a major factor in the repeated temperature rebounds is the total lack of heavy snow on the ground this winter.

WeatherEye Meteorologist Mike Karow tells KNIA/KRLS News that temperatures should remain above average the rest of the winter for the most part. He explains the warmth comes from an area of low pressure in the arctic region. That low pressure reinforces westerly winds, which locks up the cold weather in the arctic. Karow notes that many areas of northern Alaska have seen lows of 50-to-60 below zero, which is unseasonably cold even for them. On the precipitation front, Karow says to expect average amounts. The warm temperatures, however, will bring it in the form of rain rather than snow.