AUGUSTA, Ga. - January 2010 was the coldest January since 1988 and the eleventh coldest January since 1950. The average temperature for the month was 41.7 degrees Fahrenheit, or 3.1 degrees (F) below the 30 year average. The coldest January since 1950 occurred in 1977 with a monthly average temperature of 35.4 degrees (F). Record-keeping began at Augusta, Bush Field in 1950.

The Southeast remained cold last month thanks to a persistent flow of cold, dry air from Canada. Several periods of rain were also observed with extra clouds keeping daytime high temperatures well below normal. For the fifth consecutive month, above average rainfall was recorded. 5.39 inches of rain last month was .89 inch above the 30-year average for January.

The weather last month was consistent with a strong El-Nino pattern, with cold, wet, and stormy conditions occurring over the deep Southeast. This pattern is expected to continue through February.