The eastern half of the United States has faced an unprecedented early winter cold snap this week, leading to numerous low-temperature records being shattered. On November 11, over eighty weather stations across the Deep South either tied or broke their daily minimum temperature records. Jacksonville, Florida, recorded temperatures plummeting to -3 degrees Celsius, a striking 17 degrees below the average for this time of year.
This cold spell was not just characterized by frigid air, but also by significant snowfall in parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The phenomenon known as lake effect snow occurred along the southern and western shores of Lake Michigan on Monday. This occurs when cold air moves over warmer lake waters, generating convection and resulting in heavy snow showers that can persist for extended periods. Predictions for snowfall can be tricky due to the localized nature of this weather event.
Northern Indiana reported the highest snowfall totals on Monday, with Cedar Lake receiving a remarkable 31 centimeters (12 inches) of snow, while large areas nearby saw over 25 centimeters (10 inches). Although Chicago experienced lighter snowfall due to these localized bands, the city still saw 5-7 centimeters (2-3 inches) falling throughout the day. Unusual weather conditions even led to reports of “thundersnow,” a rare event where lightning occurs amid snow.
As the coldest air moved out of the US, lake effect snow bands began to dissipate on Tuesday, marking a decline in the severe winter conditions.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Fung-wong continued its trajectory through the western Pacific after departing from the Philippines on Tuesday. The storm redirected northward, eventually making landfall in Taiwan as a tropical storm on Wednesday. While significantly weakened, Fung-wong still caused substantial rainfall, with the town of Suao in Yilan County experiencing 648 millimeters (25 inches) of rain by Tuesday. Reports indicated that floodwaters reached up to 61 centimeters (2 feet) deep in some homes. Consequently, approximately 8,300 residents were forced to evacuate to safer areas inland, and 51 individuals sustained injuries from flood-related incidents. Eventually, Fung-wong diminished further to a tropical depression before dissipating entirely on Thursday as it moved northeast away from Taiwan.
In light of such extreme weather events, communities are reminded of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of nature’s unpredictability.