When flying into Burlington, VT in January, will the aircraft be higher or lower than indicated by the altimeter?

When flying into Burlington, VT, in January, the aircraft will generally be lower than indicated by the altimeter due to the effects of temperature on air density. Altimeters are calibrated based on the standard atmosphere, which assumes a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius at sea level. However, in January, temperatures in Burlington can often be significantly colder than this standard.

Cold air is denser than warm air, causing a discrepancy in the altimeter reading. If the atmosphere is colder than standard, the altimeter, which measures altitude based on the pressure of the surrounding air, will indicate a higher altitude than the actual altitude of the aircraft above the ground. Therefore, the aircraft will actually be at a lower altitude than what the altimeter shows.

This situation emphasizes the importance for pilots to understand the local atmospheric conditions and adjust their flight operations accordingly to maintain safety and accuracy in altitude readings.