The thermometer outside the house this morning sat at 25 degrees at 0500 (5:00 a.m.) and the high today is not expected to top 30 degrees.

That adds up to 24 hours below freezing.  After a much warmer than normal winter so far the dip into freezing weather feels even colder than normal.

Fear not.  The mercury is expected to rise back into the 40s Wednesday and the 50s on Thursday with lows in the mid-thirties.

Yet we’re in January here in the mountains and the temperatures haven’t even flirted with zero yet.  High temperatures in and around Floyd are expected in the mid-30s and low 40s next week and through Jan. 18.

This is winter?  Yes, an El Nino one that plays havoc with weather norms.  Friends and ours are emerging from record rains and flooding in St. Louis and on down the Mississippi River towards the South.

When Amy and I lived in the St. Louis area we expected some flooding — in the Spring, not the middle of winter.

Those who practice long-term forecasts for a living say our warmer than normal weather could stay with us through January before turning horrific in February, March and possibly April.

Normally, assuming anything is “normal” when it comes to weather, January is the coldest month of the year around here.

That could change in 2016.

Time, and temperatures, will tell.