Many sections of Kentucky are expected to go from the “deep freeze” to “spring-like” conditions over the next several days. Some communities in the Commonwealth could see upper 60-degree readings by the middle of next week.
While it’s an unusual situation, State Climatologist Stuart Foster said these fluctuations can take place about every other winter. “Yeah, I don’t know that we’ve seen a change in the frequency of these types of extreme events. It certainly catches your attention when the temperature goes from zero or subzero to spring-like temperatures within the matter of a day or two,” said Foster.
The state’s climatologist said the deep freeze experienced by people living in many sections of the country including the Commonwealth this week could be considered a symptom of climate change activity. Foster said, as the temperature gradient between the equator and the North Pole becomes more gradual, it can lead to a meandering jet stream, which can bring down artic temperatures into the lower 48. “As temperatures generally warm, and the artic areas are warming much faster than other areas of the globe that actually makes these types of fluctuation and cold air outbreaks even more likely than in the past,” noted Foster.
And while it’s been cold in many parts of Kentucky this week, it was nowhere near a record. Foster says the coldest day in the bluegrass state was recorded in another January, on the 19th in 1994 when a temperature gauge in Shelbyville registered minus 37.
