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Climate Shift: Why This Cold Feels So Intense
3 Feb
Summary
- Recent cold snaps feel more intense due to past unusually warm decades.
- Subfreezing temperatures have historically been more frequent and longer.
- Extreme cold poses risks, causing over 110 deaths since January.
The intense cold gripping much of America, while feeling unprecedented, is a return to historical norms after a period of unusually warm winters. This contrast makes the current frigid spell particularly shocking, especially for younger generations who have not experienced such prolonged cold.
Data reveals a significant decrease in subfreezing days annually over the past 25 years compared to the preceding quarter-century. This trend has led to a collective "weather rustiness," making people more susceptible to the impacts of extreme cold.
Beyond discomfort, this extreme weather presents serious dangers. Since January, over 110 deaths have been linked to winter storms and freezing temperatures. Infrastructure in areas unaccustomed to such cold, like southern cities, is also ill-equipped to handle these conditions.
