Record-breaking January temperatures in the Puget Sound region are reflected in temperatures recorded by WSU Extension weather watcher George Haglund in Coupeville.

Whidbey Island data is collected by Extension employee Nancy Zaretzke who sends it out weekly to interested parties.

Based on Haglund’s recording, Zaretske said in an email, “It’s noteworthy that the month of January was very warm. The average temperature recorded at one location near Crockett Lake was 46 degrees, which suggests that this was the warmest January ever recorded.”

Zaretski said that figure can be compared with the long-term 94 years of temperature observations for Coupeville:

Average monthly January temperature: 39 degrees.

Highest average monthly January (1986) 45 degrees (previous warmest).

Lowest average monthly January (1950) 25 degrees.

“Our January average temperature was typical of what we normally see in late March,” Zaretski said.