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Why do you think Eastern US winters are getting colder? They're not, they're getting warmer if we're going by averages. Januaries have warmed by 1.6f when comparing 1971-2000 and 1991-2020 averages. Decembers have warmed by 1.8f and Februaries by 1.3f.
Winter is actually the fastest warmest season throughout much of the U.S and ESPECIALLY the eastern U.S. In my area (Seattle), summer is apparently the fastest warming season.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Winter has not arrived yet, but the late fall so far has definitely been milder than most. Still, in our 30 years here there have been milder years. I don't know if it's climate change, El Nino, or just the normal variability from year to year. I have noticed that the PSE gas/electric bill is much higher despite the milder weather, when we do get a deep freeze a lot of people are going to get a surprise. Last year the highest bill as $320 with nearly 2 weeks below freezing, but already our last was $330 due to the rate increase and the "hidden" CO2 emissions tax that they are passing on.
Why do you think Eastern US winters are getting colder? They're not, they're getting warmer if we're going by averages. Januaries have warmed by 1.6f when comparing 1971-2000 and 1991-2020 averages. Decembers have warmed by 1.8f and Februaries by 1.3f.
Unlike Australia, the US is still capable of record cold events in the winter (see: Texas in Feb 2021). Whereas in AUS we haven't had a proper cold event since the Jul 1966 snowfall in Albury. Our winters are unrecognisable to how they were even ten years ago - it's high time for a change in government.
The last few years have seemed to show that while PNW winters will be warmer compared to before, we will have a lot more variability in cold snaps and snow events. The winters will still be cloudy and depending on El Nino/La Nina changes more or less rain per year in cyclical variations, but 1-2 snowy days where the temp falls to 20F or even lower. Kinda kills my hope for better gardening options despite Portland and Seattle being in 9a but getting 7a-type weather once or twice a year.
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