COLUMBUS — Columbus experienced the warmest Christmas on record this year.
But that’s only true if you go by one temperature reading from one location on the city’s far east side.
Cummins, Inc. retiree David Epperson, who holds a doctorate in atmospheric sciences, recorded a high of 68 degrees at his home off Talley Road on Dec. 25. That is one degree higher than the official warmest Christmas in Columbus recorded in 1965.
But other locations showed other results. For example, the warmest it got just north of downtown was 66, while the high at the city’s airport showed a high of 64, Epperson said.
“But even 64 puts us in the Top 5 for the warmest Christmas on record,” he said.
More mild air ahead
So how long before Old Man Winter raises his ugly head again? The U.S. Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, says above-normal temperatures are expected in south central Indiana through at least Jan. 9.
If it’s dry and mild on New Year’s Day, a larger than normal crowd is expected to head to Brown County State Park for their popular First Day Hike.
The 2.3 mile expedition, which begins at the park’s Nature Center, will be kept on easy terrain, park officials say. But the free hike does provide four of the park’s most scenic vistas. Participants can run, walk or ride anytime between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
But instead of walking or hiking, several folks in Bartholomew County prefer to use this opportunity for motorcycle riding.
On Christmas Eve, Boyce Stattenfield rode his motorcycle from his home in Columbus to the Brick bar and restaurant in Jonesville.
“I haven’t been able to do that for four or five years because it’s been too cold,” Stattenfield said.
When his brother, Columbus native Ryan Stattenfield, left his current residence in Massachusetts early this week, the highs were in the 30s and snow was on the ground.
“We had packed winter stuff to come to Indiana, but when we got here Thursday, it was in the mid 60s,” Ryan Stattenfield said. “I do wonder whether this might be related to climate change, but I don’t know whether you can draw a clear line.”
Another member of the same family, Kylie Stattenfield of Columbus, said there are certainly perks to having mild holidays.
“But I do miss the snow,” she said. “It makes you want to stay inside, drink hot chocolate and watch movies.”
Enjoy it while you can
From Epperson’s perspective, there is only one thing that south central Indiana residents can be certain of in regard to the warmer conditions.
“It will not last,” he said.
In fact, some private forecasting companies are predicting colder and snowier than normal conditions that will begin during the second full week of January, Epperson said.
In contrast, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center is forecasting near normal temperatures and precipitation during the last half of January, he said.
However, that’s still two or three weeks away, and it’s the current weather that most people are concerned about.
And those concerns indicate some people have mixed feelings on what we’re currently experiencing.
Good or bad?
While walking in a short-sleeved shirt near the Commons Friday, Connor Roseberry of Columbus said he missed the snow and colder temperatures on Christmas.
“We need to take a better stance on climate change, and we’re currently not doing it,” the 21-year-old Roseberry said.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Jahir Sanchez of Columbus.
“Climate change must remain a topic we have to keep in mind,” Sanchez said. “This is not the norm.”
Another person who believes in climate change is South Bend mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who unveiled a three-pronged plan on how he would combat the issue in September.
However, a group of Buttigieg supporters in Columbus on Friday expressed nothing but gratitude for the mild temperatures.
While gathering signatures to ensure their candidate’s name is on next year’s Indiana primary ballot, Carmel resident Jenny Okaoto said the recent weather in Columbus has been quite different from where she was raised.
“In Connecticut, we were used to it freezing over in October and not thawing out in March,” Okaoto said. “But this weather is awesome for collecting signatures, and there are lots of people outside talking with us. So we can’t complain at all.”
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The following high temperatures were recorded in Columbus on Wednesday:
68 on the city’s far east side
66 near the downtown area
64 at the Columbus Municipal Airport.
The following are official record highs on Christmas Day for Columbus:
67 (1965)
66 (1932 & 1982)
65 (1964)
61 (1955)
58 (1936)
Source: Records researched and compiled by David Epperson of Columbus.
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What: First Day Hike – part of the Winter Hike Series
When: Wednesday, Jan. 1, beginning anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Brown County State Park, starting at the Nature Center. Advanced registration is not necessary.
Length and difficulty: 2.3 miles, which will take about 90 minutes for the average hiker to complete.
Highlights: Views from 4 different vistas including Hohen Point, which is the most expansive view in the park.
Information: On the web at in.gov/dnr/parklake/2988.htm. Details are also available on the Brown County State Park Facebook page.
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