Jacksonville’s last frost … Weather 2021 … Severe storms in December … Night sky in January – Action News Jax

Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville (JIA) still hasn’t had a frost this winter (2021-’22). We are nearing the last record freeze at the JIA on January 25, 1995. Jacksonville’s historic weather record dates back to 1871, but the thermometer was near downtown before it was moved to its current location at JIA in 1971. Since 1871, y including the d’town, the last frost recorded was March 10, 1932. Inland NE Fl. averaged about 15 frosts per season, closer to 22 frosts per season for the interior of SE Ga. The first frost of the 5 last years starting with last winter: December 1, December 3, November 28, January 2 and November 21 The 30-year average. for Jacksonville (JIA) the first frost of the season is December 10.

2021 was above average. through the bottom 48. Notable exceptions – including Jacksonville – were the months of February, April, May, July, and November. The year ended on a very warm note, with most of the United States recording a well above average average. Dec. (more than 6 degrees above average for Jax). For the year, 2021 was the 4th hottest year on record for the contiguous United States

Major meteorological “events” for 21:

Speaking of December, violent storms – mostly spring – dominated the month. The month saw a record number of reports of storms (tornadoes, destructive winds, large hail) with two major outbreaks – from Tennessee to the lower Ohio Valley + from Missouri to Michigan and a second outbreak in the Midwest centered on the corn belt.

December also saw the highest number of tornadoes on record, including the severe long-track EF-4 tornado that traveled from Arkansas to Missouri, Tennessee and then Kentucky.

Interesting graphic From the Storm Prediction Center below shows the number of storm hours for each year since 2016. As expected, the highest storm coverage was along the Gulf Coast:

January / early February night sky from Sky & Telescope:

January 20 (dawn): The waning gibbous moon is above the western horizon in Leo, 4 ° from Regulus.

24 january (dawn): The Moon (one day before the last quarter) is at 5 ° at the top right of Spica.

29 january (dawn): The pretty trio of the waning crescent of Moon, Mars and Venus rises in the south-southeast.

February 2 (twilight): Look closely southwest for a very thin crescent Moon, just a day after nine, 4 ° lower left of Jupiter.

February 3 (twilight): Look for the ghostly glow of “Earthshine” on the dark part of the thin crescent Moon, now higher and 12 ° from Jupiter.

February 8 (evening): High to the south-southwest, the first quarter of the Moon is located 6 ° below the Pleiades.

Phases of the moon

First Quarter – Jan. 9 2:11 p.m. EST

Full Moon – January 19, 7:48 p.m. EST (Full Wolf Moon)

Final Quarter – January 25, 9:41 a.m. EST

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