This winter’s weather has been anything but predictable.

With temperatures ranging from pleasantly warm to bitterly cold, it is hard to know what to expect.

“Having temperatures that reach 60 degrees this time of year in our area is very unusual,” said NIU Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste.

The temperature of 62 degrees on Jan. 7 was a record high for the DeKalb area. Just 10 days later, the temperature dropped to below 0.

“The reason for the dramatic changes in weather is caused from a wild and fluctuating jet stream pattern,” Sebenste said.

The warm weather can be attributed to air blowing in from the western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico while the recent bitter colds are coming in from Siberia.

“Typically our winter air is blowing in from the western U.S. or Canada, so when it comes from the Gulf of Mexico or Siberia it is rare,” Sebenste said.

Some students have experienced potential dangers from the fluctuating weather.

“I’m from the Quad Cities and the warm weather caused ice to melt, which resulted in the Rock River flooding,” said Jenna Bognanno, a senior nutrition and diatetics major.

Others just feel uneasy about the peculiar warmth occurring at this time of year.

“I’d prefer the weather to remain more stable,” said Ed Xavier, a junior English major. “When the weather changes so much, it seems like a cause for concern.”

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