It may seem counterintuitive that parts of the world are still experiencing record-breaking cold weather during an era of global warming, but upon closer inspection, there is a logical explanation for this apparent paradox. Global warming is a long-term trend of increasing global temperatures due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and clear-cutting forests. Despite this, extreme weather events can still occur, resulting in the occasional cold snaps. This is because while the overall global temperature is increasing, local temperatures can fluctuate wildly depending on the weather patterns in the immediate area.
In recent years, scientists have observed a link between shrinking Arctic ice and extreme cold events in the lower latitudes, dubbed “polar vortexes.” In a nutshell, the polar vortex is a great whirl of air that forms around the Arctic Circle, typically during the winter months. But when the Arctic ice begins to melt, it can destabilize the polar vortex, resulting in freezing temperatures downstream. So while global warming is having a warming effect on our planet overall, the repercussions of melting Arctic ice can lead to colder temperatures in the near future.
However, it is important to note that global warming is having a direct impact on extreme weather events. For example, a study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2017 compared global warming events to cold weather events, and concluded that extreme heat waves are occurring more often than cold weather events. The effects of global warming are likely to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather of all types, cold or hot.
In addition, global warming has caused the Arctic region to warm twice as fast as the rest of the planet, leading to an accelerated rate of melting polar ice. This, in turn, can contribute to further disruption of the polar vortex, and to more extreme cold weather further downstream. What’s more, atmospheric scientist Jennifer Francis from Rutgers University has recently discovered a link between melting Arctic sea ice and less frequent but more intense snowfall events in the lower latitudes. This is due to the fact that warmer air holds more water vapor, meaning heavier snowfalls in colder areas.
Climate experts have warned that temperatures will continue to increase in the Arctic, leading to further melting of sea ice and increased disruption of the polar vortex. This could result in more extreme cold events in warmer areas, at least in the short term. The effects of global warming in terms of extreme weather of all types will likely increase with time, and we can expect to see more record-breaking cold weather as well as heat waves in the years to come.
If we are to combat global warming, then it is paramount that we take decisive action now. This might include reducing human emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, introducing renewable energy sources, and protecting natural carbon sinks such as forests. Only by taking comprehensive and effective measures can we hope to effectively mitigate the impacts of global warming and, ultimately, prevent further disruption of the polar vortex.
