Denver is gritting by a number of to 40- to 50-degree (Fahrenheit) temperature swings that can take the Mile Excessive Metropolis from spring climate earlier this week to effectively beneath freezing and again to balmy this weekend.
A huge winter storm stretching practically throughout the continent from California to New York is dumping toes of snow on the northern plains, shutting down highways and canceling flights by the a whole lot.
In Denver, it is all a part of a sample of climate whiplash that is rising extra acquainted. In December, only a few days earlier than Christmas, it noticed temperatures plummet by over 40 levels in only a few hours and a file 75 levels from in the future to the following.
Scientists say this type of seesawing from one climate excessive to a different might be tied to local weather change. Specifically within the US there appears to be a connection to the fast warming of the Arctic, which is altering the habits of the jet stream that itself impacts climate to the south within the decrease 48 states.
Along with Denver’s wild rides over the past 12 months, researchers are trying into obvious instances of climate whiplash in locations like California, Texas, New Mexico and Montana the place exceedingly dry circumstances have been adopted by excessive rainfall and flooding or vice versa.
Within the case of New Mexico, the place I reside, months of drought and dryness helped set off the worst wildfire season within the state’s historical past within the spring of 2022. Then in June, the rain appeared to start out right away and remained above regular ranges for months, resulting in deadly floods in burn-scarred areas. It was loads.
The jet stream’s fingerprints are additionally all around the present chaos within the US. What meteorologists are calling an “excessive” jet stream is bringing file chilly temperatures from the Arctic to the west and north, whereas additionally holding area for file excessive temperatures within the southeast on the similar time.
If it is wintery the place you might be, take note of native forecasts, keep heat and keep off the roads if you happen to can. Past that, now greater than ever it’s best to have the ability to simply wait some time for the climate to vary, typically dramatically.
