(Atlantic) Wednesday’s 53 degree high temperature in Atlantic tied for the 2nd warmest (1946) Christmas Day on record.
The warmest temperature reading ever experienced for Atlantic in 126 years of records for December 25th was 56 degrees in 1922. State climatologist Justin Glisan describes it as very rare for temperatures to be this warm, this late in the year. “It’s anywhere from 20-25 degrees above average given the location. We had 30-35 stations either breaking or matching their Christmas day record.”
Glisan explains the reason for the mild conditions. “We are stuck in a thermal ridge and this is a big dome of high pressure and this allows temperatures to get above average.”
Glisan reports a pattern shift is expected into the weekend. After a warm and dry December an inch to an inch and half of rainfall is expected with the possibility for some snow in the coming days.
