How unusual is this January cold?

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Residents of the Tennessee valley are still coping with colder-than-usual temperatures.

The latest blast from the arctic didn’t produce that much snow, but most schools and government agencies were closed again today.

It’s been a cold January, and some may ask if the pattern is going to continue.

Mike Durham from Chickamauga told us “The weather’s just unpredictable right now. It gets cold …it gets hot..and then, most people in our church have been sick off and on for the last two months..cause this weather is changing back and fourth.”

After a few relatively mild winters in the tri-state area, the single-digit night time temperatures are a big of a shock. But, these are not record lows.

News 12 Now Meteorologist Christina Reuille says “OUR atmosphere is all connected. We had a big trough come through. It got cold. Last week, one week ago today, we were 66 degrees. By Sunday we’ll be 60 again. it’s weather..it changes everyday.”

Schools and governmental agencies..and many businesses for that mattere….are playing it safe when we get weather like this. They are looking at worst case scenario and using an abundance of caution to keep anyone from being hurt from accidents or exposure.

Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core says “We’ve had cold winters in the 20’s, the 30’s, the fifties..even in the 70’s people thought we were going into an ice age. It was on Time Magazine, but our parents and our grandparents were a lot tougher ..they were used to the elements ..they could withstand it a lot better than we can today.”

Rob Watlington from Lookout Mountain says “You know its probably seen 20 years since it feels like its been this cold. Well, I was in Haiti last week..it was 90 degrees. So, uh, coming back to this is a shock to my system.”

Yes, weather people—but what about that polar vortex thing at the north pole?

Christina Reuille explains “The polar vortex exists 365 days a year. It always has ..it only gained popularity in 2014 when it became the big buzz word when it got cold.”

But, whatever the reason…we’re southern people…we just don’t like it.

Dezon Irvin from Chattanooga adds “I just wish it would get back hot again…that’s what I wish.”

Patrick Core “This IS something we’re though would happen back in October and November ..looking at the potential winter scenario..we though the first half of winter could be quite cold and it has turned out to be quite cold.”