Delayed January Thaw
Context:
After the heavy snow and arctic air, we’re now seeing above-zero weather. Are the delayed January thaw and weather extremes a sign of climate variability?
Members of the media may directly contact:
Hossein Bonakdari (English & French)
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Professor Bonakdari is an expert in climate change and global warming, and in harnessing artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
“The typical January Thaw, a brief mid-winter warm-up, occurred later than usual this year, with milder conditions only emerging around the third week of February. The delayed thaw in 2025 was caused by persistent Arctic air masses and atmospheric blockages that prolonged cold conditions until late February, when a pattern shift allowed milder Pacific air to move inland, leading to a brief rise in temperatures above seasonal norms.
This deviation from the typical thaw highlights ongoing climate variability and raises questions about the influence of broader patterns like La Niña on extreme weather events.”