It has been warm enough to leave the jacket at home for most of this December in Central Florida.
If you have been wondering if this December is unusually warm, it has been.
In fact, it will likely finish as one of the warmest December’s on record for Central Florida.
Afternoon high temperatures have been running nearly 10 degrees warmer than normal for most of this month, and our mornings have not been as chilly.
So far, this December could finish in the top five warmest on record for Orlando.
The warmest December on record for the City Beautiful is 2015, when the average monthly temperature was nearly 72 degrees. The normal temperature for December is around 62 degrees. This December has an average of near 70 degrees in Orlando.
The reason for this is because a series of high pressure systems have been building and holding strong across the Southern U.S.
High pressure systems lead to sinking air, which results in warming temperatures and dry conditions.
These highs keep the storm track to our north and prevent cold fronts from rolling into Central Florida.
The active weather this month has stayed across the Northern tier of the country and the Western U.S.
Even much of the Midwest and Northeast have been warm and missing out on the extremely cold temperatures and snow.
This is due in part to La Niña.
When we experience a La Niña winter, Florida tends to be warmer and drier than normal.
This is also true for much of the Southern U.S., and the Eastern U.S. can also be warmer than normal, which is what we have seen this December.
Climate outlooks also keep January warmer and drier than average.
So if you’re a fan of the chillier temperatures, this may not be the winter for you. However, that is not to say we won’t have the chance to experience some more chilly temperatures.