Madhumitha Jaganmohan
Research expert covering climate and environmental sustainability
Get in touch with us nowTemperatures shift considerably between the northern and southern regions in the United States. Although the North does experience warm summers, winters often sustain long periods of cold weather, along with blizzards. The tropical climate in the South is typically warm or hot all year round. Both heat waves and cold spell can travel across the country causing disruption. Extreme precipitation patterns occur in the U.S.—western and central states may experience drought and heavy precipitation damage mainly in the South and coastal areas. The West and Gulf coasts experience some of the heaviest rain events, occasionally as a result of tropical cyclones or hurricanes. Winds from these storms are often intense and sunstained. American weather is also unique due to the frequent presence of tornados, which can be catastrophically large, in the Great Plains and Midwest.
Rising mean temperature in the United States as a result of global warming is evident. While the possible effect on weather patterns is unclear, changes in weather patterns will vary from region to region. Extreme heat events will increase for many locations and many low coastal areas are at risk due to sea level rise.
