Cold Weather Continues...

Cloudy skies and cold temperatures definitely make it a bit harder to wake up in the morning. That was the case for me today as winter weather is starting to ware on me. Call it a case of the "Winter Blues." Usually I enjoy winter through December and the early part of January but after a while I am ready for warmer temperatures. A lot of people I have spoken with say they would prefer the colder temperatures over the warmer temperatures because they can always put more clothes on. I have to disagree as I was bundled up this weekend and I was far more uncomfortable than I would be in temperatures in the 90s. I'm not the only one who could go for relief from the cold, many people suffer from  Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter depression. However, it is believed that the seasonal mood variation isn't caused by the cold but a lack of light. In La Crosse, January is one of the cloudiest months of the year with right around 17 cloudy days, but it is even cloudier in November and December. In places like Finland, where the amount of light in the winter is much less than it is here, 9.5% of the population suffers from SAD. Good news for the people of Barrow, Alaska, today was the first time they saw sunshine since mid November. Symptoms of the disorder, aren't always depression but often a lack of energy to perform every day categories. For those around the area that do suffer from SAD, there is good news tomorrow. We can expect plenty of sunshine, but that won't help warm temperatures up to much. Highs will likely rise into the mid to upper single digits. That will change as relief is on the way on Friday when highs return to the 20s.

Until Next Time,

Andrew Thut
News 19 Forecast Team