Snow-battered America is about to experience a freak mini-heatwave this February, caught in the death throes of a powerful El Niño.
Meteorologists say above-average temperatures across wide swaths of the U.S. may persist through the spring.
Warm air in the north competes with cold air in the south
WX charts
This phenomenon, which changes climate patterns around the world, occurs when ocean temperatures around South America rise.
“The big picture shows above-average temperatures likely from the Northwest into the Rocky Mountains, the northern and central Plains, the upper Midwest and New England,” said Danielle Banks, a meteorologist with The Weather Channel.
“But parts of the South and mid-Atlantic could see near-average temperatures.
“Warm weather fans across the Southeast may not be too excited to see that the weather will be cooler than average, but that is pretty normal in an El Nino event.”
Latest in the United States:
Higher than average spring temperatures
Weather channel
It warned that a broader “temperature drop” was still possible given the unpredictability of the weather in February.
The unusually strong El Niño event will begin to weaken during the spring months, possibly turning into a La Nina event.
The “La Nina” phenomenon, which is the opposite of the “El Nino” phenomenon, sees ocean surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean lower than normal.
“Strong El Niño has peaked and appears to be fading as we approach the upcoming spring months, such as March, and this could be turning towards La Niña conditions by summer,” Ms Banks said.
“That could mean more of a warmer March, and that brings us into April, where it looks like most of the lower 48 will see above-average temperatures again for March, but there are a few exceptions.”
Weather in the United States: Hot air sits over North America
WX charts
“The transition of winter into early spring could see warmer than average temperatures across the United States as El Niño gradually comes to an end,” added Weather Channel meteorologist Chris Dolce.
Above-average ocean temperatures will blow around the U.S. coast with gusts of warm air.
The early arrival of spring will be the result of the El Niño phenomenon and a general trend of rising global temperatures, according to American weather correspondent Jim Dale.
“When ocean temperatures are high, the result will almost certainly be warm to very warm air blowing across the United States, and this could lead to periods of warmer weather,” said Dale, a social commentator and chief meteorologist at the UK's Met Service. “. Weather you might not expect.
“There is also an element of El Niño and climate change that will lead to this warmer weather, if it happens.”
However, it will come after a barrage of storms sweeping across wide swaths of the country, as cold and temperate air masses compete in battle.
Mr Dale added: “There is now a battle going on across the US between mild air in the south and frigid air elsewhere.
“But things will gradually return to normal, and with the impact of climate change, spring may come early.”
