City Blanketed in Snow After Unseasonably Warm Weekend
Winter storm Lorraine caught New Yorkers off guard as heavy snow, high winds, and cold temperatures swept through the city, covering it with one to three inches of accumulation. This sudden onslaught marked the biggest snowfall in over two years, following a weekend where temperatures soared nearly 17 degrees above the city’s average high for the time of year.
Experts Warn of Increasing “Whiplash Weather” Events
Experts are pointing to the storm as part of a growing trend of “whiplash weather” fueled by climate change. These erratic weather episodes, like Lorraine, can wreak havoc on infrastructure, disrupt travel, and pose deadly risks. Recent examples include the “Texas Freeze” that claimed 246 lives and dramatic temperature swings in Montana and Minnesota.
Arctic Influence on Winter Weather Patterns
Scientists are looking to the Arctic to understand how climate change is reshaping winter in the US. The shifting behavior of the polar vortex, a large system of cold air above the poles, plays a crucial role in these disruptions. As global temperatures rise, the destabilization of the polar vortex leads to more severe winter weather events like Winter Storm Lorraine.
Arctic Warming Amplifies Polar Vortex Disruptions
The rapid warming of the Arctic, outpacing the rest of the world, is intensifying disruptions to the polar vortex. These disruptions unleash the polar jet stream onto mid-latitudes, causing extreme winter conditions in regions like the US and Canada. Despite overall warming trends, the US continues to face record-breaking low winter temperatures due to these phenomena.
Adapting to a New Normal
As the Arctic warms and polar vortex disruptions become more common, experts warn of weirder winters ahead. Adapting to the unpredictable nature of whiplash weather will be crucial to mitigating its impact on ecosystems, infrastructure, and human health. Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, we can expect more frequent and severe weather whiplash events in the coming decades.