Welcome A New Happy Year, January Begins Warm, Alaska Cold Lurks

I hope all of you stayed safe & enjoyed welcoming in 2026.  Most of 2025 was a horrible year for me, but the last 2 1/2 months have been terrific, meeting my new partne,r Valerie Adams, and her many fun friends.  Two such friends are Mindy & Ward, who share what Valerie & I have found, love in late life.  All my friends notice that Bob has the bounce in his step back.  Can you see it?

Ward is a terrific saxophone player who plays with many local groups, including the Wise Guys.

Valerie looked stunning, bringing the smile back to the little fella.  I asked/prayed to our Creator to bring me a special person, and Valerie is so much more.  I told her I need more storage area in Copeland Tower, and she bought me and put together this wonderful piece of furniture

It fits perfectly below my TV in my living room, PLUS she's a great cook!  I am so blessed! Weatherwise, many of you are thinking will we ever get cold again?  the answer is YES!  Just look to Alaska, where the temps remain 40-50 below zero.

As a general rule of thumb, it'll take 10-14 days for that Arctic air to get to us IF we get the eastern upper trough to deepen down to the Gulf coast.  That's not the case right now.

The real cold is coming down over the Great Lakes & Northeast, but the upper flow becomes more zonal (west to east) over us.  That weak upper low over Arkansas will bring us a weak front for Saturday PM into Sunday.

The real Arctic cold is well north of the front, and our cool down will not be drastic.

Clearing skies are not too far away, but until the front arrives on Saturday, we'll stay muggy with some clouds & a slight shower threat.

I love to see us 70+ in January, and the next week should continue the well-above-normal/average trend.

Next week might even flirt with 80, continuing the above-average/normal trend that made last year the 5th warmest on record.

Just remember, last year's snow didn't happen until January 23rd.  I see a real cool down coming after January 15th, so snow geeks, keep the faith!  Stay tuned!

Precautions Needed North & West Tonight, Remember Pipe Rule

 If you are dressed for it, our current chilly airmass feels pretty good.  That's because it's so dry with dew points in the teens & 20s.  Despite bright sunshine, temps have struggled to reach 50.  Consequently, when the center of high pressure to our west moves over us over night, winds will decrease allowing for temps to dip below freezing in many locations.  Some of you will have to run/drip water to prevent pipes from freezing.  I begin with the longtime pipe rule given to me back in the late 70s by master plumber, the late Mickey Scholl.

With clear skies & light winds, temps should fall to near the dew point resulting in below freezing temps except near Lake P. on the South Shore.  Here's what Amber wheeler showed us at noon.

Obviously, tropical plants & pets will need protection, but many spots will dip to 28 or less requiring some folks to drip the water when they go to sleep.  The warm up begins tomorrow and will last through the weekend as the next front will be a weak one on Saturday.  The Great Lakes upper trough has lifted back into Canada, but the NW flow will keep the chilly air coming for the eastern states.

In terms of firework viewing Wednesday night, conditions will be almost perfect if you are dressed for it.  Note there are no signs of any return Gulf flow.  The core of the Arctic cold is shifting to our northeast.

You can see how the surface front has dipped down to the Yucatan with the cold air "cloud streamers" showing up on satellite views.

The weekend late Friday front will bring us some clouds, but only a very small chance for some showers.  The start of 2026 looks dry and mild for January.  I might not post again until Friday so enjoy

what for many of us will be a Happy New Year!   I'll be with my new companion Valerie down at The Cannery listening to the Wise Guys enjoying the wonderful change in my life after a horrible 7 months.  I wish everyone health & happiness in 2026.   A special thanks to the 800+ subscribers to my new podcast.  I'm working on a polar vortex podcast along with interviews with the many FOX 8 personalities that make them the most watched TV News station in New Orleans.  Sign up at bobbreck.com to see and hear us.  Thanks. Stay tuned!