It’s not uncommon to feel cold-like symptoms this time of year. December typically is full of sniffling children and sick calls into the office. While many of those ailments can be blamed on bronchitis or the common cold, some can be blamed on allergies.
The culprit: late-season warmth.
This December will go down as one of the warmest Decembers in recorded history.
Buffalo’s average temperature for the month sat at 39.7, making it the second warmest behind 2015, which saw an average monthly temperature of 42.1 degrees.
Similarly, both Rochester and Syracuse also saw the second warmest December on record, too, where average temperature for the month climbed to 40.2 and 39.2 degrees, respectively. Both areas saw the warmest December back in 2015 as well.
Albany’s average temperature for the month hit 37.4 degrees, placing it as the third warmest December on record behind 2015 and 1881.
In Albany, the warmest December was back in 2015, where temperatures averaged 41.8 degrees. The second warmest was back 1881, where the monthly average temperature was 38.6 degrees.
Temperatures across New York State were well above average for almost the entire month! While many enjoyed a warm and almost snow-free month, others suffered from some serious congestion due to plants and pollens not normally seen in the winter.
What can you do to combat these symptoms?
Like the spring and summer, taking an antihistamine can reduce symptoms. In addition, washing your clothes and coats often can also help.
With that, we should see some of the allergy-related sniffles dissipate as temperatures get colder outside. As a meteorologist, I can tell you that cooler temperatures will be with us for the month of January and February.
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