Central US experiencing wild weather with heat wave then deep freeze

Central US experiencing wild weather, with heat wave then deep freeze
source: Getty images 

Forecasters predict that some U.S. residents will transition from Bermuda shorts to snow pants in less than 24 hours due to a heat wave in the central plains and South.On Monday, Nebraska and Iowa experienced mid_70s Fahrenheit temperatures, 40 degrees F above average, while cities like Dallas, Texas, experienced mid_90s F temperatures, while the South experienced mid_30s C temperatures.

The heat wave this week is part of unusual weather patterns across the U.S. this winter, including California's "atmospheric river" rains and historic low ice cover on the Great Lakes.

Human-induced climate change is causing an increase in extreme weather patterns, with the prevailing El Nino weather pattern also contributing to the unusual weather, according to forecasters.

Joe Wegman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, has identified an unusual factor as the primary cause of this week's heatwave.

Eastern two-thirds of the country experienced a snow-less winter, leading to bare, dry ground and increased temperatures due to solar radiation.

Solar radiation and warmer Gulf of Mexico winds are causing potential record high temperatures in several locations, with the heat wave expected to move eastward across the U.S. and reach the Atlantic by Thursday.

Wegman predicts that some areas experiencing warm weather on Monday will be hit by a cold front on Tuesday, with Grand Forks, North Dakota, experiencing highs of 55 F on Monday and 9 F on Tuesday.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes environmental research laboratory reported historic lows in ice cover on Lakes Erie and Huron, ranging from 0% to 10%.

The Great Lakes' peak ice season occurs in early March, indicating potential for recovery.

Ice is crucial in the Great Lakes ecosystem, acting as a buffer against winter wave erosion and protecting fish species' eggs.

The Great Lakes' ice cover has decreased by 25% from 1973 to 2023 due to warmer weather, according to a recent report by a laboratory.

Central US experiencing wild weather, with heat wave then deep freeze
Source: Getty images