Scott Sabol's World of Weather: Winter 2022-23 Recap - Part I

This is a recap I should have posted months ago. As we are on the eve of the FOX 8 Winter Outlook for winter 2023-24, now is a great time for a detailed recap of last winter--or the lack of winter. Below will be numerous charts bar graphs highlighting various metric we use in describing the overall winter. Most of these revolve around temperatures and snow. I like to give historical and spatial perspective with each metric. So what you will see are bar graphs (for Cleveland, Ohio - December through February unless otherwise noted) and maps (for some) highlighting some of the metrics versus normal.

Overall temperatures for northern Ohio (Cleveland) were well above normal last winter

Winter 2022-23 was the 3rd warmest on record!

Winter temperatures were well above normal for most of the Great Lakes, mid-west and Ohio Valley

Overall winter temperature ranks were top 10 from Texas, the entire gulf coast and up the eastern seaboard

68 of the 89 possible days had high temperatures above normal!

Number of days with high temperatures UNDER 30 (Lowest since 1997-98. Second lowest since 1871)

Number of days with high temperatures at/above 40 (Third highest and most since 1931-32)

Number of days with high temperatures at/above 50

Number of days with low temperatures at/under 20

This animation shows the temperatures across the US starting November 1 through February for each 15 days period. Red indicates above normal. Blue is below normal. Notice how variable the temperatures were in November and December vs January and February.

Temperatures around Christmas week 2022 were bitterly cold across much of the middle of the US. Many thought the cold in mid/late December was an indication of a colder January.