Spring Comes With Varying Weather Across the Nation

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

Image with Cloudy, Rainy, Sunny, and Snowy Skies

We live in a large nation. The United States is second only to Russia and Canada in total size (though China is also larger if you don’t count all outlying U.S. territories).

With a territory this big comes seasonal weather that can vary greatly. Different geographic regions experience a wide variety of weather patterns, and different weather threats throughout the year.

As we enter into the spring season and warm air increases in the atmosphere, let’s look at what areas of our nation can expect, and specifically what we need to watch out for here in Sioux Falls and our surrounding neighborhoods.

The Pacific Northwest experiences heavy rain in spring, which can cause flooding and water damage. Higher elevations are colder and could still have snow, which can cause melting and runoff issues for the residents of this area.

In the Northeast and here in the Midwest, we tend to have the longest season of winter’s chill. While we are fortunate here in Sioux Falls to enjoy milder days with slightly rising temps, residents from Maine to the northern Dakotas can expect extreme cold and blizzards until early summer. Spring is typically our driest season, however, snowstorms are still a possibility in our forecast until late April.

Far from our landlocked home, the southern West Coast will experience a quick and intense warm up resulting in excessive heat waves that can endanger lives and safety. Places in the South Pacific, including Hawaii, have to watch for possible tsunamis caused by tectonic shifts.

The middle of the country, with states from Iowa to Texas, also moves into spring with much warmer temps than we are accustomed to here in South Dakota. Residents in these states will need to be aware of windstorms, derechos and the risk of wildfires, which spread easily in their dry, windy weather. This region also experiences a high number of tornadoes, giving it the nickname of Tornado Alley.

Finally, the Southeast experiences a variety of extreme weather, from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the landlocked states to dangerous rip currents, plus early-season hurricanes later in the spring. While the south is generally far warmer than we are, the southern states still have to contend with swinging temps and the occasional late frost.

While those of us that enjoy cooler temps and dry weather may think our spring season in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas are ideal, we are not exempt from experiencing severe weather like our neighbors across the nation. No matter what spring may bring, it always pays to be prepared.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.