Understanding January's wild weather

January's icy weather demonstrates the differences between regional weather and climate conditions, Axios climate expert Andrew Freedman writes.

• Unusually cold air has been parked over the Lower 48 this week, leading to a record snowstorm along the Gulf Coast.

🥶 During Arctic outbreaks, the Gulf Coast usually stays dry or receives a wintry mix.

• But this time a storm formed along a frontal zone and tapped into warm Gulf of Mexico waters.

❄️ Comparatively warm and humid air was vaulted northward, where it overran the cold, dry and dense air, producing snow.

• In other words, unusually hot seas helped produce record snows from Texas to the Carolinas.

🌡️ Yes, but: Daily global average surface temperatures have been at or near record levels throughout January.

• Just because it's freezing — and maybe even snowy — where you live doesn't mean it's atypically cold worldwide.

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