Overall the weather for January 2002 saw above average temperatures and below average precipitation across the commonwealth.

The first week of January, 1st-8th, saw rather seasonable temperatures across the state. At the end of the week a low pressure system brought snow to locations throughout the state. State College received 13 inches of snow from this storm.

Temperatures for the second week, 9th-16th, were well above normal with most locations seeing temperatures as much as 10 degrees above normal on the 13th-15th. On the 11th a system brought some rain to most of the state. Erie received most of the precipitation this week with a total of about half an inch.

The third week, 17th-24th, saw more seasonable temperatures on the 18th-20th but the rest of the week was well above normal. Some weather systems brought precipitation across the state the most accumulation fell on the 19th.

The final week of January, 25th-31st, the state saw very warm temperatures for this time of year. Some locations were 20 degrees above normal and on the 29th Philadelphia reached 72! On the final two days of the month most of the state experienced rain.

To recap, the state experienced above normal temperatures and below average rainfall for the month causing more concern for the present drought situation.

---Brian Helstern