The Berkshires — Topsy Turvey January started out cold and a little snowy. The first two days of January looked like January should — cold with snow.
But no. Then came 11 days of above average temperatures and light rain. Was this a traditional January thaw? In years past, any thaw usually came in the last part of the month. Most of the snow melted. I began thinking I wasn’t going to use my snow blower anymore this winter.
Then came another Polar Vortex with very cold temperatures and winds, much like what we experienced in parts of December. Two snow events on consecutive weekends. CBS6 meteorologist Steve LaPoint said the snows had a high fluff factor meaning low water content. With the much colder temps it made it feel like winters of old, (sort of).Â
But with global warming it wasn’t as cold as it used to be. It’s been over 30 years since my in-town thermometer recorded colder than 20 below. But when I think of the homeless people and those struggling to pay their fuel bills, maybe it’s a good thing that it’s not as cold.Â
The snow’s low water content and only a small amount of rain made this January even drier than last year and we were two inches below this century’s average. Overall, this January was the third driest and eighth coldest since 2000. Will  the dryness continue in February?
Have a sweetheart of a month.
January 2026 weather statistics
