Eastern Half of U.S. Basks in Early Spring
Balmy temperatures 20 degrees above normal brought an early taste of spring to the eastern half of the nation Friday while winds gusting up to 75 m.p.h. battered the Northwest, knocking out power to thousands of homes.
Temperatures climbed into the 50s and 60s from Nebraska to New England, surpassing records in at least two cities. Readings were 20 degrees above normal for January, said Scott Tansey, National Weather Service meteorologist.
“Instead of having a strong, cold wind coming out of the north with arctic air, it’s warmer Pacific air blowing across the Rockies,” Tansey said.
Nebraska Records Set
A 64-degree reading at the Lincoln, Neb., airport easily broke the old record of 55 degrees set in 1961. It was 58 degrees in North Omaha, Neb., eclipsing the record of 57 set in 1880. It was 60 degrees in St. Louis and 44 in Rapid City, S.D., the weather service said.
Meanwhile, fierce windstorms lashed the Northwest, leaving more than 32,000 homes without power early Friday and closing roads and schools in the Puget Sound area. There were no reports of serious injuries.
In Astoria, Ore., wind gusts of 75 m.p.h. toppled trees and power lines along the coast Thursday.
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