How cold a winter has it been?

[Omaha Steve]

We have two fire places, but have only used the one in the dining room a couple times over the years. In the family room is another story. We have used more wood (well over a cord) of mixed hardwoods this winter than any year since we got here in Nov. of 2006.

Our electric use is way up too. Only used at times of near zero or below temps.

More below Zero weather is on the way for later in the week.

OS

[In_The_Wind]

1. In the Hudson Valley of NY, (imo) it's been worse in recent winters.

It's 42 degrees at this moment.

[likesmountains 52]

2. And here in SW Colorado, we just had one of the warmest and driest Januaries ever.

[rudolph the red]

4. My sister lives in Durango

she has never seen a winter this dry.

[likesmountains 52]

11. That's exactly where I am talking about.

[fizzgig]

5. it's been pretty mild in the northern front range

lots of 40s and 50s. but we got a fair amount of snow this week and we have some cold coming.

[Egnever]

3. It was a damn heatwave

Here in Vegas it has been in the high 60's low 70's almost all winter.

[Warpy]

6. We've had three cold days here in NM

west of the mountains. That means I could wear my fake fur coat three days this year and this might be a record.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. It's been so very weird. Heat on one day (unheard of typically here) A/C on the next.

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Alaska's January was the fourth warmest on record.

[NutmegYankee]

9. It's been colder than the last few.

The lows were consistently in the single digits in a row for longer than in quite a while. Not as bad for snow though. The winter of 2011 was actually collapsing roofs from the weight of snow. This year it melts off and then it snows again.

[wandy]

10. In a way I envy you..........

Back in NY. Who ever built that old house dedicated just about one full living room wall to field stone fireplace. A few modifications a few small fans, and on the coldest nights the furnace would forget it had a reason to be there.
Here. An ornate two sided thing with a gas burner. Useful on warm summer evenings to start moving hot air up the chimney.
Sure, the wood pile harbored all sorts of critters and stuff, and who knew what would wake up and start running 'round the house.
Still, its super bowl sunday. Sometimes called Bogart film festiable night.
Darn, too cold out to start a 'fire'.
Darn, in a way I envy you.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Record lack of snow Dec-Jan 1985-1986 & 1878-1879 for Omaha

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140130/NEWS/140139840

Published Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 3:48 pm

Snip: Omaha is nearing a record dry spell for December and January, said Barbara Mayes, meteorologist with the weather service.

The snow that falls today would need to exceed 0.03 of an inch in water content to prevent the current two months from being the driest December-January on record, she said.

Two winters are tied for the driest December-January, said her colleague, Dave Fobert.

During the winters of 1985-86 and 1878-79, the months recorded 0.34 of an inch of precipitation, Fobert said.