A significant winter storm is poised to blanket half of the United States with freezing temperatures and heavy snow, affecting at least 230 million people. The impending storm has sparked discussions about climate change, particularly a recent statement from former President Donald Trump questioning the existence of global warming in light of severe winter weather. According to meteorological experts, this winter storm doesn’t prove that climate change isn’t real or that the planet isn’t warming long-term.
Since 1970, the average duration of winter cold snaps in the contiguous U.S. have decreased by an average of six days. This alarming trend is indicative of a larger, more dangerous change in our weather patterns. Winters over the past few decades have warmed faster than any other season. In fact, the average temperature on the coldest days has increased by at least 2.5°C (4.6°F) since 1970.
Climate scientists say the Arctic is warming at a staggering rate. It is about warming up four times faster than the rest of the planet. This dramatic shift creates major instability within the polar vortex. This huge, wavy ring of wind normally helps to prevent frigid Arctic air from spilling down into southerly latitudes. When sea ice decreases, the polar vortex weakens, and extreme cold from the Arctic is able to escape southward into the lower 48 states.
An exceptionally large cold air mass from the Arctic is crashing downslope into warm, moister air across the heart of the contiguous U.S. It’s this dramatic interaction that’s bringing the present winter storm. While this interaction can be very dangerous in general, it causes extreme storms that have intense snowfall and extremely cold temperatures.
Even as cold days do still happen, they are now outnumbered by record hot days more and more every year. Unfortunately, climate change is still speeding up retreating glaciers. It upends seasonal expectations, turning our usual understanding of what winter weather should look like on its head.
“Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain – WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???” – Donald Trump
Climate experts insist that no single winter storm should be used to evaluate global climate patterns. Weather events are by nature complex and highly variable with many contributing factors. The broader context shows that U.S. winters are warming significantly, with 2025 predicted to be one of the hottest years on record globally.
Some areas in the western U.S. have already seen catastrophic snow drought this season. This growing crisis is already having major consequences for ski resorts and winter recreation. This phenomenon has shown once again how complicated climate change can be and how it’s impacting regions across the U.S. in contrasting ways.