UNSEASONABLE COLD TEMPS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO AREA

The National Weather Service says more unseasonable cold weather may be ahead for the Cape Girardeau area through mid-December.

The prediction comes in the wake of record-breaking cold that sent the average temperature here for the first half of November plunging nearly 12 degrees below the long-term average. Four record lows were set during the period.

In its 30-day, mid-November to mid-December outlook, the weather service says temperatures in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois are expected to average below normal, while precipitation should average near the long-term average. The combination could translate into a greater chance of snow during the period.

Al Robertson, professor of earth science and climatologist at Southeast Missouri State University, said the average temperature at the airport for the first 15 days of November was 37.7 degrees, down 11.7 degrees from the long-term average of 49.4 degrees.

Robertson said that during the 10-day period, Nov. 1-10, the average was 33.1 degrees, down 17 degrees from the long-term average of 50.1 degrees.

Four daily record lows were set at the airport during the first half of the month. On Nov. 4, the morning low of 16 smashed the old record of 21 degrees, set in 1951.

Four days later, on Nov. 8, the mercury sank to 15 degrees, breaking the old record of 17 degrees, set in 1951. On Nov. 9, the morning low dipped to 12 degrees at the airport, breaking the former record of 22 degrees, set in 1961. On Nov. 10, the low of 20 degrees broke the old record of 21 degrees, set in 1960, and tied in 1973.

Even if the average temperature moderates during the last half of the month, Robertson said this will still be one of the coldest Novembers in 44 years in Cape Girardeau. The coldest November here was in 1976, with an average temperature of 38.1 degrees. The long-term average is 46.7 degrees.

Robertson said the cold would have been even worse had it not been for several warm days; on Nov. 1, and again Nov. 13-15. The high Nov. 1 was 65 degrees. The highs on Nov. 13-15 were 60, 61, and 62 degrees.

Robertson said the severity of the Arctic outbreak this month will be felt in December when homeowners get their utility bills.

He said the number of heating-degree days during the first half of the month was nearly twice the long-term average. A heating-degree day is the difference between the daily average temperature and 65 degrees, Robertson said.

"There are going to be some pretty hefty heating bills next month," he added.