Tennessee Heat Wave Is More Severe Weather of 2015
A heat wave continues to batter East Tennessee moving into the week of June 14th, with projected highs ranging from 88-95 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by thunderstorms scattered throughout the week. This heat wave is another example of extreme or unusual weather that has taken place around the globe in recent months. California is well into its fourth year of record-breaking drought, with little sign of relief in the near future. Texas, on the other hand, had a record-setting May downpour, with water flooding streets to the windows of cars. This May 28-29 torrent occurred overnight. After factoring in other unusual downpours, the events provided Texas with an average monthly rainfall of 8 inches, a new record for the state, while some particular areas have received well over a foot.
Continuing the trend of strange heat, Alaska had a mind-blowing high of 91 degrees Fahrenheit this past May. The more extreme end of the spectrum could be seen in India, where a devastating heat wave throughout April and May has caused temperatures greater than 107 degrees Fahrenheit: heat so high that some roads in the country’s South are melting. Strange weather has never been particularly surprising in Tennessee, but Summer 2015 is still standing out as one of the most extreme years for weather in recent history. According to NASA, warm weather and strange meteorological conditions are most likely linked: a large pocket of warm, calm water isolated in the Pacific Ocean (1,000 miles wide by 300 feet deep), combined with the effects of El Nino has resulted in severe or unusually warm weather that stays in place. This, in turn, adversely affects the natural weather of a particular area. This year’s El Nino is expected to be strong (one of a few recorded instances of “strong” El Ninos), and will likely stay with us throughout Winter 2015-2016. As East Tennessee moves further into the local heat wave, citizens are urged to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary activity outside in the middle of the afternoon, and to carefully monitor children, the elderly, or the ill.
