As expected, at 57.3 degrees, 2012 was the warmest year in Central Park since records began in 1869, displacing the 57.2 degree record held by a trio of years from the 1990s. The new year began on a much more average note yesterday as the daily temperature exactly matched the long-term normal for January 1st. A polar front passed through the city yesterday afternoon and that will keep us colder than normal until the weekend. The mercury bottomed out at at brisk 22 degrees this morning and probably won't reach the freezing mark this afternoon. Our first entirely below freezing day since last January!
The polar high pressure system bringing the cold weather will slowly move eastward, as it does the temperatures will slightly ameliorate. Tomorrow's high should be slightly above freezing while Friday may reach the mid 30s. Expect plenty of sun both days.
A different scenario, but mostly the same result, plays out this weekend as a series of storms are expected to pass well to the north of the city. These storms are way too far away to bring snow. Instead we'll see a mix of sun and clouds and a continuation of the gradually rising temperatures. Highs look to climb into the upper 30s for the weekend and probably the low 40s by the beginning of next week.
