video by FOX13 Memphis
Takeaways:
• Winters in the Mid-South have become more extreme, with increased snowfall, longer cold snaps, and record low temperatures observed since 2020.
• Meteorologist Matt Yarosewick’s analysis of 30 years of winter data confirms a trend of more extreme winter weather in the region, with recent years showing higher snowfall averages, longer cold durations, and more days below freezing.
• Dr. Dorian Burnette, a climatology expert, explains that the warming climate allows the atmosphere to hold more water vapor, leading to heavier precipitation and potential disruptions to the polar vortex, causing cold air to rush southward.
• The Mid-South’s geography contributes to weather extremes, as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico can affect the jet stream, influencing storm paths and intensifying precipitation.
• While the current trend indicates more extreme winter weather, some studies suggest that in a few decades, the region may experience less severe winter events due to the ongoing warming climate.