A paradox is unfolding across the East Coast. Even as winters get warmer, the biggest winter storms are becoming more intense — creating a dangerous combination that’s catching communities off guard.
What’s happening?
Pittsburgh was recently hit with nearly a foot of snow, 90.5 WESA reported, which narrowly missed the record set by the 2010 “Snowmageddon” storm. Temperatures remained well below freezing this week — and while this frigid weather may seem like a throwback to winters of the past, experts say it’s part of a troubling pattern tied to rising global temperatures.
“Global warming has not stopped,” said Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center. “You’re always going to see variable weather patterns, and that’s what we’ve got right now.”
According to experts, East Coast winters are warming faster than any other season, and cold snaps are becoming rarer. But when they do come around, according to Matt Barlow, they can lead to more severe storms…