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What’s going on with this strange weather?

Sara Melby

February 23, 2012

The city of Bluefield, and much of the Appalachian region, has experienced unusually warm weather this season, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, so don’t expect to get much more use out of your snow boots this winter.

For people who have lived in Bluefield for most of their lives, this season’s winter weather has been very unusual. Even in the dead of winter, a high of 67 degrees Fahrenheit was reached Jan. 26, according to the Weather Channel.

	Bluefield's most recent snowfall

There have been few winter storms this season. Also, according to the Weather Channel, there have been minimal forecasts for heavy snowfall in Bluefield. Consequently, no more snow storms were observed than what was predicted.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides a 2012 long-range weather forecast for Bluefield which accounts for the strange winter weather the city has experienced. The Almanac records an average temperature of 36 F, which is 5 degrees above average for January. Precipitation is recorded as an average of 2 inches, which is 1 inch below the average for January. What is forecast for February is also a little bit out of the norm. However, what is expected is more in accord with normal winter weather for Bluefield and will not be as warm as January was. The average temperature for February is predicted to be 26 F, which is 6 degrees below the average temperature. Average precipitation for February is expected to be 3.5 inches, which is 2 inches above average for the eastern part of the area and 1 inch below the average for the western part of the area.

The Almanac’s summary of Bluefield’s 2011-2012 winter season states that “winter temperatures will be near or slightly above normal, on average, despite a cold February. Other cold periods will occur in late November, mid- and late December, and late January. Precipitation will be near or slightly above normal in the east and below normal in the west, with near-normal snowfall. The snowiest periods will occur in late November, late December, mid- and late January, and mid-February.”

Many at Bluefield College are not opposed to this warmer weather.

“I feel like Jesus is coming back because of the temperature change,” said senior Morgan Jefferson. “But I’m enjoying the warmth, and I’ve noticed there’s been more sunny days which I don’t mind. I’m okay with it being cold and sunny, but not with it being cold and cloudy.”

Psychology professor Robert Boozer agreed.

“Actually this weather is normal for me,” he said. “It’s a welcomed relief from the past two winters.”

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