What's up with the weather?

For those of you who do not live in Chicago, the weather over here has been rather odd. Usually in February and January the grounds are fluffed with white snow. Traffic is backed up by piles of snow blocking the roads. People complain left and right about the cold weather.

But this year, and this week especially, winter in Chicago has barely been winter. Tuesday was in the 60s. In years past we have had awful snow storms and multiple snow days. So what exactly is up with the weather? Is it global warming, or is it simply a phase?


Having read a lot about global warming, whether it be in a biology class or on my own, there is no denying that things are changing. Whet Moser on Chicagomag.com referenced an interesting explanation by Dr. Jeff masters about what is happening:

"The natural weather rhythms I've grown to used to during my 30 years as a meteorologist have
become significantly disrupted over the past few years...We're used to seeing the slugger hit the ball out of the park, but not with the frequency he's hitting them now that he's on steroids. Moreover, some of the home runs now land way back in the seats where no one has ever been able to hit a home run before. We can't say that any particular home run would not have occurred without the steroids, but the increase in home runs and the unprecedented ultra-long balls are highly suspicious. Similarly, Earth's 0.6°C (1°F) warming and 4% increase in global water vapor since 1970 have created an atmosphere on steroids."

While changes in weather are expected over time, and it is necessary to consider that humans haven't been able to record and analyze most of the weather that has occurred over the lifetime of the planet, these changes Dr. Masters presented cannot be overlooked. And although the weather and global warming affects each and every one of us, most countries are not doing enough to significantly slow down the effects. We know there is a problem. But governments have so many other problems to deal with currently, such as the economic crises and recent social uprisings, that the environment is put second. This is understandable, but the future of our planet does depend on our current actions, and if we don't make changes soon, the situation, even in Chicago, will only worsen.