Climate Change’s Unpredictable Reality

By: Ava Gravina'28

Photo courtesy of the United Nations

2025 has been an interesting and tough year, to say the least. Some people still question whether climate change is real or see it as a low priority, but there is evidence all around us that climate change is happening. This year alone, we saw snow falling in Florida while wildfires raged in California. Ultimately, climate change isn’t just about global warming – it causes our weather to become more extreme and unpredictable too.

Growing up in the Northeast, I remember having winters filled with heavy snow and a bitter cold in the air. Now, I find myself reaching for my winter jacket less and less! Snowfall has also become increasingly rare, and while a 50-degree February day feels nice, it should not be that warm in reality. Hence, warmer winters are just one sign of climate change impacting our daily lives.

Another sign of climate change is that at the beginning of this year, snowflakes drifted throughout Florida, which is known for its warm climate. Meteorologist Leslie Hudson noted that Pensacola hasn’t seen an inch of snow since 2014, proving that snowfall is highly unusual in warm climates. This snowfall occurred because the polar vortex had weakened, allowing frigid Arctic air to push much farther south than usual. Additionally, Hudson also explained that when the polar vortex weakens, cold air moves south while warm air moves north. As a result, Florida got snow, while some parts of the Arctic experienced record warmth. Ultimately, climate change is not only weakening the polar vortex but also altering jet streams and weather patterns. 

At the same time, wildfires tore through California, burning down many people’s houses. These fires destroy homes and forests and pose serious health risks for many as the air quality worsens. While California’s environment creates a higher likelihood of wildfires with its dry heat, low humidity, and vegetation that catches on fire easily, climate change is making wildfires more frequent and intense. 

Furthermore, a NIDIS-funded study by researchers at UCLA found that the “leading cause of the rapid increase of wildfires over the western U.S. is the rapid increase of surface air vapor pressure deficit, or VPD, a measure of how thirsty the atmosphere is.” Essentially, as VPD rises, the air pulls more moisture from the plants and soil, drying out vegetation and contributing to the likelihood of more frequent wildfires. This, combined with rising temperatures and droughts, creates ideal wildfire conditions.

I am sure that, like many others, I am questioning how we can have both sweltering heat and bitter cold? To answer this question, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that the Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average because the polar vortex is weakening, pushing cold Arctic air into lower latitudes. This shift allows Arctic air to reach places like Texas or Florida, while unexpected heat reaches Antarctica and the Arctic itself.

Climate change has many implications, impacting our everyday lives. For example, glaciers are melting, and sea levels are rising. Additionally, winter storms are becoming more intense, as Texas’ 2021 freeze left millions without power. Finally, hurricanes have destroyed communities and businesses.

Overall, climate change is happening right now! Every day, we see more extreme, unpredictable, and disruptive weather events that impact our homes, communities, and lives. However, we still have the power to make a difference. By reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy sources, and advocating for climate policies, we can slow the effects of climate change. It is up to us to work together to help save our planet before it’s too late.