The surprises will pass in February: long-term forecasts show an unusually low average temperature

After 2020 it surpassed the hottest so far in 2019, when the annual mean air temperature of 8.8 ° C was recorded; (8.3 ° C).

For the first time in the history of meteorological observations, the country’s annual mean air temperature has exceeded 9 ° C (the average for 2020 is 9.2 ° C). Also in 2020. ended in warm conditions.

The first decade of December was unusually dry compared to perennials, dropping just 7 percent. Standard Climate Norm (SCN) precipitation, but air temperature was close to multi-year values.

The second decade was already unusually warm (3.3 ° C above the SKN), but still not very rainy (49% of the SKN fell). And the third decade of December was also warmer (4.1 ° C above SKN), reaching 18 percent. more rainfall than usual in Lithuania.

The first ten days of January were 1.5 ° C warmer than SKN. However, the second and third decades delighted Lithuanians with the truly winter weather. In mid-January, the cold pressed and in some places dropped to -25 ° C, and the lowest air temperature was recorded in Joniškis (-28.6 ° C, January 17).

Overall, the second decade of January was 7.1 ° C cooler than SKN. The first and second decades were 20 to 25 percent. less rainfall than usual.

We had snow in the third decade. Although this snow was not a record (about 34-35 cm in southeast Lithuania, about 20 cm in central Lithuania and only a few cm in western Lithuania), the wet snow cover caused damage by breaking branches of the trees and the trees themselves. . However, since 1961. the thickest snow in Lithuania was recorded from 44 cm in Kaunas (January 4, 2009) to 82 cm in Nida (March 14, 1980).

The air temperature in Lithuania in the second half of February is forecast to be about 2 ° C lower than the SKN. If the whole month is considered, the air temperature is also expected to be up to 2.5 ° C below the norm (SKN -2.5 ° C).

Precipitation in both the second half of February is expected to be 15 percent. lower than usual, and precipitation throughout the month will be around 25 percent. smaller (SKN 42 mm).

In summary, it can be said that February is expected to be colder and drier than usual in Lithuania.

From 1961 to the present:

• The warmest months of February were recorded in Lithuania: 1990 (3.8 ° C), 1989 (2.5 ° C), 2020 (2.4 ° C).
• Coldest: 1985 (-12.6 ° C), 1986 (-11.3 ° C) and 1963 (-9.1 ° C).
• The lowest daily air temperature was recorded in Utena on February 21, 1956 and reached -42.9 ° C. This is an absolute record for the lowest air temperature in Lithuania.
• The highest air temperature was recorded in Kybartai and Jonava on February 21, 1990 (+16.5 ° C).
• The highest amount of precipitation was recorded: 2002 (76 mm), 2016 (75 mm), 2020 (61 mm);
• Minimum: 1972 (7 mm), 1976 (8 mm), 1982 (9 mm).