If you’re living in the US, you might have noticed that every winter there’s another record-breaking storm. Freezing temperatures in Texas and massive amounts of snowfall dipping all the way into the Southern US have stunned weather analysts and the average American is getting sick of brutal winter weather.
But why is this happening? Are the worsening winter conditions a reality, or just a misperception? And, if they are real, is there anything that can be done to stop them?
Are Conditions Getting Worse?
It’s not just anecdotal. Weather reporting services have noticed a trend over the past decade: the weather is getting more extreme. As average global temperatures rise, it causes some bizarre weather patterns in the Arctic. Warm air can travel north and displace the polar vortex, which leads to unusually cold winter storms in the continental US.
Of course, these extreme weather events aren’t limited to the winter season or to the US. Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean have been intensifying in recent years as the temperature differential in the water becomes more pronounced. There are plenty of other examples around the world as the impact of climate change makes waves, literally and figuratively.
What Can We Do?
On an individual level, there’s not much any given person can do about these worsening weather patterns. They’re a result of global climate change, which itself is the result of the activities of entire governments and multinational corporations. However, you’re not completely powerless when it comes to these extreme weather events.
You can make sure your home is well-prepared for winter storms by stocking up on supplies and winterizing your pipes and windows. Likewise, if you live in a region prone to hurricanes, you can make preparations for powerful storms to put yourself back in control.
Staying Informed
The best thing you can do to prepare for rough weather, at the end of the day, is to stay informed and vigilant. Check the local weather reports regularly and be ready to react if you hear that a big storm is coming. Nothing is quite as dangerous as inclement weather you didn’t have time to prepare for.
Most weather-related deaths happen because someone was caught off-guard by something like rising floodwaters or sub-zero temperatures. With the right forewarning and precautions, you can make sure that you’re in no danger when you face the elements–no matter how bad the next winter storm is.
