The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) in January was 33.2°F, 3.1°F above the 20th-century average, ranking in the warmest third of the 132-year record.

• A series of Arctic air masses brought bitterly cold temperatures as far as the Deep South and Florida, accompanied by significant snow and ice impacts.
• Seven western states set record-warm temperatures for the beginning of winter (December–January).
• Above-average temperatures are favored across parts of the West in February, while portions of the eastern U.S. are likely to be cooler than average.

Assessing the U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Analysis in Janaury 2026