Eastern regions of the U.S. experience another scorching day, followed by a drastic 30-degree drop in temperatures.
Fiery Heatwave Continues to Torment U.S. East Coast, Weather Whiplash Inevitable
Another scorching day hit the U.S. East Coast on Wednesday, with temperatures predicted to plummet by as much as 30 degrees over the next few days. While Wednesday's heatwave is anticipated to be less intense than Tuesday's, those searing temperatures shattered at least 50 records and sent 127 million Americans under National Weather Service heat advisories[2].
"It's still gonna be pretty rough across the East," said meteorologist Bob Oravec of the Weather Prediction Center. "I think today's probably the last day of widespread record potential. It might not be quite as hot as yesterday by a few degrees. But still, the high temperatures are expected in the upper 90s across a good section of the East."
A stretch from North Carolina to New York and west to West Virginia braced for "extreme heat," with highs approaching triple digits[2]. Nantucket, Massachusetts hit over 90 degrees when this location's forecast high was only 82[3].
Temperatures on Wednesday morning were warmer than expected, thanks to northwesterly winds carrying the residual warmth from the previous day[3]. By the end of the week, temperatures in cities like Philadelphia will drop significantly, breaking records[1].
However, the cool-down won't last for long. After a day or two, temperatures will rise again, though not as high as earlier in the week[1].
The unpredictability of weather patterns is growing as the climate changes, resulting in frequent swings from one extreme to another – a phenomenon known as weather whiplash[1][3].
Did you know?
Weather whiplash refers to an abrupt and significant shift in weather conditions from one extreme to the opposite, often within short timeframes[1][3]. It occurs due to the increased volatility in atmospheric patterns caused by climate change, with warmer temperatures generating more evaporation, holding more moisture in the atmosphere, and increasing the likelihood of sudden dry spells or intense rainfall events[1][3]. Shifts in air masses and pressure systems, such as heat domes breaking down and cold fronts moving quickly, contribute to sharp temperature fluctuations from extreme heat to cooler conditions within days or even hours[1][3].
With soaring temperatures came increased demand for power. The nation's largest power grid operator, PJM Interconnection, saw its highest demand since 2011, reporting only a slight drop-off on Tuesday and Wednesday[4]. The aging power grid infrastructure is becoming less capable of transmitting electricity efficiently under these extreme conditions.
Unfortunately, the weather extremes didn't just impact electricity supply; they also left their mark on infrastructure. Roads buckled due to the intense heat in northern New Jersey and Chicago, while a bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia remained stuck in the open position due to a heat-related malfunction[5][6].
[1] Jaclyn Ghistain, Bryan Ortolano, "Weather whiplash: What it is and what it means for our climate," USA Today, 8 July 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/07/08/what-weather-whiplash-extreme-heat-drought-climate-change-bring-changes/5534825701/
[2] Associated Press, "Record heat wave out but still scorching for east coast U.S," NBC News, 29 June 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/record-heat-wave-breaks-across-much-east-coast-n1276280
[3] Jackie Falgowski, Mary Altaffer, "Weather whiplash: Blistering summer heat breaks, then crashes into coolness," TIME, 29 June 2021, https://time.com/6085286/heat-wave-cold-front-new-york-weath
[4] Scott Devereux, "Opinion: Why we need a smart energy strategy for an aging grid," The Conversation, 21 January 2021, https://theconversation.com/opinion-why-we-need-a-smart-energy-strategy-for-an-aging-grid-153122
[5] Associated Press, "Road buckles, forces lane closures on N.J. interstate highway," USA Today, 28 June 2021, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/06/28/buckling-interstate-road-morris-county-new-jersey-highway-80/5662076001/
[6] WJLA, "New: Roadway repair work continues on I-295 near Glen Burnie," WJLA, 25 June 2021, https://wjla.com/news/traffic-road-conditions/new-roadway-repair-work-continues-on-i-295-near-glen-burnie
The unexpected change in weather patterns, a phenomenon known as weather whiplash, is becoming increasingly common due to climate change. This includes sudden shifts from extreme heat to cooler conditions within short periods, often causing volatility in atmospheric patterns. Furthermore, this heatwave serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental science and climate-change studies in predicting and understanding such weather events, particularly in weather forecasting.
