Weather Whiplash: Record Highs To Snow In Days

• US cities experience record highs and severe storms.

• Arctic plunge to be short-lived, temperatures to rise.

• International Falls, MN, faces drastic temperature swings.

A cyclist travels around Lake Michigan near the Adler Planetarium Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Chicago. A warm front is sweeping spring-like weather across a large swath of the country in what is usually

AP

Wild fluctuations in temperatures are sweeping across the United States this week, leaving many cities experiencing a rollercoaster of weather conditions. From record highs to severe storms, snow, and freezing temperatures, the weather patterns are proving to be unpredictable and extreme.

The National Weather Service reports that the dramatic arctic plunge in numerous locations will be short-lived, with temperatures expected to rise above average by the end of the week.

On Monday, a staggering 78 cities, spanning from International Falls, Minnesota, to the Texas-Mexico border, hit record-high temperatures. Additionally, 6 weather service observation sites across the country recorded their warmest February day on record.

Conversely, International Falls, Minnesota, which basked in a record high of 53 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) on Monday, is anticipating a low of 22 degrees below zero Celsius on Wednesday. The city is forecasted to receive 7 to 11 inches (17 to 28 centimeters) of snow by the end of Tuesday.

Wisconsin is facing a snow drought, with none of its 25,000 miles (40,200 kilometers) of snowmobile trails open on Tuesday. This lack of snow has significantly impacted businesses in northern Wisconsin, with some experiencing a 50% decrease in revenue compared to last year.

Maine's Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races had to cancel their main event due to a lack of snow, highlighting the widespread impact of the unseasonably warm temperatures.

In Chicago, after breaking temperature records on Monday and Tuesday, the expected high temperature at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday is 10 degrees Celsius, before plummeting to the low 20s (several degrees below zero Celsius) later in the day.

Laredo, Texas, recorded the highest temperature in the country on Monday at 36 degrees Celsius (98 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record set in 1986. Meanwhile, Dallas hit 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), breaking a record that stood since 1917.

The iconic WGN-TV meteorologist, with 45 years of experience at the Chicago TV station, is set to retire on Wednesday, prompting speculation among fans that Mother Nature is bidding him farewell.

As the spring equinox approaches on March 19, marking the first day of spring, meteorologists remind us that meteorological and astronomical seasons differ. While the equinox signifies equal sunlight for both hemispheres, meteorological seasons are defined by weather patterns, with spring officially commencing on March 1.

Despite the erratic weather patterns, meteorologists continue to monitor and analyze the changing climate trends to provide accurate forecasts and insights to the public.