Weather extremes have characterized most of the U.S. this year. This week's flooding across the Southeastern States has been record-breaking as some locations have received almost three feet of rain. Ironically, some of the deluge has occurred in areas that had been plagued by drought for many months.
Farther north, severe thunderstorms with tornadoes, high winds and large hail have repeatedly raked the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. This weekend, another round of severe weather will develop across the High Plains, moving through the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic Region over the following days.
Extreme heat, warm oceans and a powerful, unruly jet stream combine to produce these dangerous weather conditions. More than typical, seasonal storm systems, we are witnessing the effects of a warming climate. Though its effects may vary over the years, these extreme weather events will surely become more common and efforts to reduce damage and deaths will be imperative.
