On a cold December morning, you wake up to pristinely white snow falling from the sky. You might want to run outside right away. Or you might want to stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate all day. Or maybe you are excited because you were dreaming of a white Christmas. Either way, you probably think of a peaceful day instead of a raging snowstorm blowing across 15 states! But, for some residents of the East Coast, this has become a regular event. It has become their reality. In fact, in 2018, the East Coast was slammed by four snowstorms in just three weeks!
Although many snowstorms have pelted the east coast before, those minor snowfalls have evolved into angry blizzards.
In general, most of these winter storms get energy from the clash of two different air masses of different temperature and moisture levels. In the United States, snowstorms usually form when cold and dry Canadian air interacts and mixes with warm, humid air coming from the Gulf of Mexico. Snowstorms accumulate in areas with perfect storm conditions, such as temperatures below freezing. The east coast is one of the best places for storms to form since it lies in the middle of the two air masses.
The number of snowstorms on the east coast has increased drastically over the last century. Global warming is one of the main reasons.
Many individuals are under the wrong impression that increasingly cold weather means that global warming can never happen. But in reality, global warming is the leading cause of gross fluctuations in weather patterns. Because of global warming, ocean temperatures are rising, causing more evaporation. An increase in evaporation is causing more moisture in the air, which leads to more precipitation, including extreme rain and snowfall.
In 1888, a snowstorm dubbed the Great White Hurricane, widely recognized as the worst snowstorm in recorded U.S. history, blew 40-50 inches of snow in some eastern states. The storm killed 400 people and buried many homes in New York. New York Times [https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/29/throwback-thursday-the-blizzard-of-1888/] reported that it was the “worst storm the city has ever known.” However, the blizzards didn’t stop there; during the so-called Blizzard of 2016, Arkansas and Tennessee got eight inches of snow, while Kentucky received over one foot. It resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights. Schools, offices, and transit systems were closed early. A more recent snowstorm took place in December of 2020, which was the largest to hit New York in several years, with snowfall topping at 10.3 inches. According to the National Weather Service, it ranks thirteenth in New York’s list of December storms since 1869.
Snowstorms can be dangerous even after they have passed. Slippery roads can slow traffic and can cause some major car accidents. Icy sidewalks pose a danger to pedestrians. Huge snowdrifts can make it difficult to get around, not to mention the workforce needed to clear the snow.
While the presence of snow is exhilarating to children, snowstorms are not completely enjoyable. We need to do our part to help. Let us not add to global warming. When given the opportunity, carpool or walk to school. When choosing a utility company, please select one with solar power as one of its energy sources.
Even small changes such as turning off the light when you are not using it, recycling, and reusing can make a big difference. If you can, use LED bulbs. They use 80% less energy than regular light bulbs. They are cheaper and last longer, too.
