If you’re feeling like the weather dial for the US has been turned up to 11 and left there the past few weeks, you’re not the only one. The west has felt an unusual cold spell for this time of year.
Tornados have been slamming into central American towns over the past few weeks at an alarming frequency, with flooding following from intense thunderstorms.
A shocking heatwave is spreading across the Southeast… it’s like the intensity has been amplified.
Yes! All this extreme weather has been caused by a jet stream that has been hovering over the US, refusing to move on, for two weeks now.
A jet stream is basically a river of air. It usually moves west to east, though not in a straight line like you might think, and pushes around warm and cold air. Jet streams are located high up in the atmosphere, near where you are if you’re flying in a commercial jet.
This jet stream has been stuck in place for more than two weeks now, dumping cool wet weather over the west and hot, dry weather in the east. When these conditions meet you get what we have been seeing – massive flooding, tornados, and extreme temperatures.
Since May 15th at least eight tornados have been reported every single day across 22 states, according to meteorologists. 14 days straight is a record in the country, making this the longest period of active tornados. Since May 17th, 225 tornados have been confirmed, a staggering number.
The total damage done between all 22 states is not calculated right now, but can be expected to be in the millions of dollars. Roofs have been torn out, houses pulled from their foundations and parked cars have been thrown into buildings.
Weather experts expect the jet stream to start moving on very soon, so the intensity of the weather should be tapering off. And not a moment too soon – 7 people have died in the past week due to tornado activity, and over 10 million live in areas that are considered a flood risk.
Intense weather can still be expected in the coming two months, but historically May is the worst. This May, especially.
