Why we still have brutal cold snaps even as the planet warms to record levels

 Why we still have brutal cold snaps even as the planet warms to record levels

Despite record-breaking heat during the summer, parts of the United States are now facing extreme cold due to an Arctic blast. This shift from unprecedented heat to cold temperatures can sometimes be misunderstood by climate-change skeptics. However, scientists emphasize that cold extremes will still occur, even as global temperatures rise.

1. Extreme Cold Amid Record Global Warming:

   • After a summer of record-breaking heat, the US experiences extreme cold from an Arctic blast, prompting discussions about the coexistence of cold snaps and global warming.

2. Scientific Clarification:

   • Scientists assert that cold extremes are expected even as overall winters warm due to climate change.
   • Global heat records, especially in 2023, have surpassed cold records, highlighting the long-term warming trend.

3. Jet Stream and Polar Vortex Influence:

   • The jet stream, a fast-moving air current high in the atmosphere, plays a crucial role in weather patterns.
   • Changes in the polar vortex, a belt of strong winds above the jet stream, can lead to disruptions and influence the jet stream's path.
   • Warming in the Arctic, occurring around four times faster than the global average, may contribute to polar vortex disruptions and changes in the jet stream.

4. Scientific Debates and Developing Research:

   • The connection between Arctic warming, polar vortex disruptions, and cold snaps is a developing area of science.
   • Some scientists argue that a wavier jet stream, caused by the temperature difference between the warming Arctic and the colder south, can lead to the southward movement of very cold air.

5. Varied Perspectives:

   • While some researchers support the idea of Arctic warming influencing cold snaps, the scientific community remains unsettled.
   • James Screen, a climate science professor, notes that extreme cold snaps can also be explained by normal climate variability, and climate change may impact the severity of winter storms.

6. Consensus on Warming Trend:

   • Despite ongoing debates, scientists agree on the long-term trend of warmer winters due to global warming.
   • Data analysis indicates a reduction in the frequency and severity of cold extremes over the long term.

Conclusion: The article navigates the complexities of climate science, explaining that while extreme cold snaps can still occur, the overall trend is towards warmer winters. The impact of Arctic warming on the jet stream and polar vortex remains a topic of ongoing research and debate within the scientific community.

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Amid the chill of an Arctic blast, the US faces extreme cold, sparking discussions about how brutal cold snaps coincide with global warming. Scientists clarify that even as summers witness record-breaking heat, cold extremes will persist. The intricate role of the jet stream and polar vortex in weather patterns, influenced by Arctic warming, unfolds in ongoing research. While debates persist, researchers agree on a long-term trend: winters are getting warmer due to global warming. Explore the nuanced relationship between Arctic warming and cold snaps in this insightful article.

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