The science behind the warmer weather today

If you had the chance to be outside anytime this afternoon, you got to experience the well above average temperatures and plenty of sunshine this afternoon.

The high temperature this afternoon topped out at 68 degrees at Columbia Regional Airport which is known as the official observation station for Columbia. This puts the high this afternoon 22 degrees above where it usually stands in early December. This mark is also just short of the record high by four degrees.

The main reasoning behind the above average spree is caused by a high pressure system to the southeast by Florida. Winds around a high pressure system in the northern hemisphere move clockwise. This leads to winds being dragged from Texas and Oklahoma to the northeast fueling the stark increase in temperatures.

Temperatures in the extended outlook look to remain well above average across much of the Midwest including Mid-Missouri.