There’s going to be winter, it’s not going away, I don’t see any real warm ups ...
— Frank O'Laughlin, meteorologist Barnstable County
Colder February Ahead
The past few weeks mirror the pattern we're likely to see on Cape Cod into February.
Click on image to watch the short news video.
09 January 2025 – CAPE COD, MA – The chilly winds of the past few weeks on Cape Cod look likely to continue through February as a weak polar vortex continues.
According to Barnstable County meteorologist Frank O’Laughlin winter arrived in full force on the Cape and isn’t budging anytime soon.
“There’s going to be winter, it’s not going away, I don’t see any real warm ups,” he said looking ahead to larger weather trends leading through January and into February.
What is behind the cold streak on Cape Cod?
What we perceive as “weather” gets created through a complex dance shaped by
Multiple forces. In the stratosphere, the upper section of the atmosphere that moves — literally – at a global level, the polar vortex has weakened. That means that air circulation patterns have relaxed, letting colder air spill out of the North Pole and into New England.
The strengthening and weakening of this vortex form part of an on-going cycle; the current period of weakening suggests this cycle will continue into February, said McLaughlin.
What is marine impact?
The cape’s other signature winter element lies in the waters that surround us – the marine impact brings everything from ocean effect snow to rain instead of snow. Water typically holds summer warmth for several months, and as storms move across the water the temperature difference softens what would be a snow storm turning it rain instead.
What other factors impact Cape Cod winters?
In addition, the North Atlantic Oscillation pattern stalls storms and further adds to the Cape’s unique winter weather ecosystem. Instead of moving briskly through and on, the North Atlantic Oscillation creates a sort of “traffic jam” of storms, backing them up for hours or days.
What should the Cape look for in weather reports?
The Cape tends to look to Boston weather reports, but these are only partially accurate for the region. The Cape lies more than 60 miles south of Boston as well as jutting out further east into the Atlantic Ocean.
The location from which a storm will strongly impact Boston tends to mean it often skips over the Cape. Storms predicted to just miss Boston and head to the south or out to sea are the ones Cape Cod needs to watch out for.
What else can help prepare for winter?
Preparedness is paramount. O’Laughlin says that includes everything from preparing economically with home insulation and other techniques to save on heating costs to getting your car winter ready with wipers, scrapers, and tires. And, of course, to dress for and move about with awareness of cold temperatures.
“People almost seem to forget how to drive every year when it comes to that first icy event in the winter time,” said O’Laughlin with a smile.
“I guess it is part of human nature – and part of emergency management is trying to overcome that bit of human nature and make people realize that these things happen every year and it’s not just something that happens every four or five years.”
For more information:
Barnstable County Winter Preparedness pages
Ready.gov winter weather site
