Wild weather is impacting nearly every region of the United States, with meteorologists warning of extremes that are already apparent. Hawaii is experiencing days of heavy rain as the Southwest braces for an unseasonable heatwave, with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Meanwhile, storms in the northern Great Lakes area are predicted to bring heavy snowfall.
The so-called “polar vortex” is forecast to plunge into the Midwest and East, bringing severely cold temperatures. Residents in Washington, D.C., for instance, experienced an unusual weather whiplash this week, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 86 degrees Fahrenheit (about 30 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday, only to see snow the following day.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center in Maryland, stated, “All of the country, even if you’re not necessarily seeing extremes, are going to see generally changing from cold to warm, or warm to cold to warm.” Ryan Maue, former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has expressed concern that extreme weather events will affect all 50 states.
In the Southwest, a heat dome is expected to form early next week, bringing record-breaking temperatures for this time of year, with forecasts for Phoenix indicating highs of up to 107 degrees Fahrenheit (around 42 degrees Celsius). Historically, Phoenix has never recorded a temperature above 100 degrees before late March, typically reaching that threshold in early May, according to the weather service. They have cautioned that the city’s residents are unaccustomed to such early-season heat, which could have a significant impact.
Los Angeles, too, is already feeling the effects of unusual March weather, with temperatures hitting the 90s, prompting residents to seek shade and dress in summer wear. Local resident Shane Dixon found running in the heat particularly challenging and had to cut his workout short, expressing relief that he preferred the warm weather over the cold predicted for other regions.
Simultaneously, the polar vortex is expected to cause a significant temperature drop in the Midwest and East. Minneapolis may see lows around zero degrees Fahrenheit, and cities such as Chicago could experience single-digit temperatures. The forecast predicts that northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states will see temperatures in the teens and 20s, with Atlanta potentially dropping to the 20s as well.
In addition to the temperature extremes, two storm systems are forecasted to hit the northern tier of the country, bringing substantial snowfall. The first storm is set to arrive on Friday, followed by another system on Sunday into Monday, which could result in 3 to 4 feet of snow in certain places. This second storm is predicted to develop into a bomb cyclone, an unusual occurrence for land-based storms that typically gain strength from warm ocean waters but will draw its power from the polar vortex.
Even the normally temperate regions of Alaska and Hawaii are feeling unusual weather patterns. Hawaii is currently facing an atmospheric river, leading to heavy rain and potential flooding, with Oahu under a flash flood warning. Contrarily, Alaska is expected to experience temperatures about 30 degrees colder than usual, which is particularly anomalous for this time of year.
Underlying these extremes is a jet stream that is behaving unusually. The jet stream, which typically moves weather patterns from west to east, is now taking sharp dips and ascents, leading to contrasting weather phenomena. Maue explained that as storm fronts from the Pacific encounter the heat dome in the Southwest, they are forced to rise, capturing cold air and bringing it back down.
Numerous studies have linked these unusual jet stream patterns and polar vortex activities to climate-related issues, such as shrinking Arctic sea ice and human-driven climate change. While the weather may seem extreme, meteorologists remind that recovery is achievable, highlighting that the first day of spring on March 20 might bring a transition to more stable weather.
