Unseasonable Weather In U.S. Explained By Jet Stream And Global Warming

A jogger runs in silhouette around Lake Michigan next to the Adler Planetarium Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Chicago. A warm front is sweeping spring-like weather across a large swath of the country in wh

A powerful winter storm is currently blanketing parts of the West with deep snow, while the central U.S. is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures. In Wisconsin, individuals are taking advantage of the warm weather by playing golf, and in Iowa, residents are enjoying leisurely walks with their dogs amidst blooming flowers. However, high winds in several states are also increasing the risk of wildfires.

Factors Contributing to the Unusual Weather

Three key factors are influencing the atypical weather patterns seen across the country:

• The Jet Stream: The jet stream, a band of strong winds, is currently positioned in a way that traps warm air from the south beneath cold air from the north. This unusual orientation of the jet stream has led to warm air reaching the typically frigid Upper Midwest.
• Global Warming: While it is challenging to directly attribute specific weather events to global warming, the overall trend of rising global temperatures is a contributing factor. January 2024 set a record for being the warmest first month of the year, with temperatures 2.74 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than pre-industrial levels.
• El Niño: The weather pattern known as El Niño is also playing a role in the current weather conditions. El Niño can cause the jet stream to shift further north than usual, impacting weather patterns across the U.S.

Impacts and Outlook

As a result of these weather phenomena, the East Coast is expected to experience warmer temperatures later in the week, with cities like Washington and New York anticipating temperatures well above normal. Southern regions are also bracing for unusually warm weather, with some areas potentially reaching temperatures in the '80s and '90s. Dallas-Fort Worth, in particular, may break daily temperature records with temperatures expected to soar into the low '90s.

Jet stream trapping warm air from the south under cold air from the north.

The West experiencing deep snow, while central U.S. has warm temperatures.

Global warming contributing to rising global temperatures and unusual weather events.

El Niño shifting the jet stream further north, impacting U.S. weather patterns.

East Coast and Southern regions expecting warmer temperatures above normal.

Dallas-Fort Worth may break daily temperature records with temperatures in the '90s.

Earlier version incorrectly stated El Niño's impact on warm air transportation.

Variety of weather conditions seen across the U.S., from heavy snow to unseasonable warmth.

It is important to note that an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the impact of El Niño on transporting warm air from the Gulf of Mexico northward.

Overall, the unique combination of the jet stream, global warming, and El Niño is creating a diverse range of weather conditions across the U.S., from heavy snowfall to unseasonable warmth.