SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- The melt continues. With highs reaching the 40s this weekend and 50s next week, melting will increase. These mild temperatures are certainly a change from the bitter cold temperatures Michiana experienced just days ago. While this drastic change seems abnormal, this pattern is not as unusual as many believe.
Maddi Johnson, a Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Syracuse, Indiana, says that the jet stream is the cause of the rapid weather cycle.
She explains that the jet stream oscillated north and south during the winter. As it moves northward, the Midwest is influenced by warmer air masses from the South. The warmer air promotes melting during the late winter.
Johnson spells out that, “A slow, gradual melt of the snowpack is really beneficial because it helps replenish the soil moisture, but without the concerns of flooding.” However, the problem arises when the ground is still frozen. The water struggles to absorb into the soil, resulting in flooding and run-off. The melting of rivers and streams also can cause ice jams, which, too, leads to flooding.
While temperatures are above average, the question on a lot of people’s minds is—Is winter over?
“Winter is definitely not over,” Johnson says. “Don’t let your guard down, because cold and snow can still happen as we transition into spring.”