Lots of snow, sub-freezing temperatures and icy winds. Much of the United States has been hit by a severe winter storm. Veerplaza tells NU.nl that such a winter storm is unlikely in the Netherlands. “That arctic air doesn’t come unhindered to us.”
Severe winter weather is common in the United States, explains Michael Severin of WeirPlaza. East of the Rocky Mountains, temperatures drop below zero at least once a year. It is associated with the north polar winds that can flow towards America.
When that happens, the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Appalachians to the east provide the best slide for cold air to get further south. “Those mountain ranges ensure that the cold only goes one way and sinks south.”
What is remarkable now is that a large part of the United States has to deal with the cold. The National Weather Service is calling it a “historic winter storm.” The bitterly cold weather has already taken its toll from coast to coast. Homes without electricity (air traffic) disrupted.
But once the wind blows from the south, it warms up again very quickly, Severin insists. For example, the temperature in Denver went from +30 degrees to -15 degrees in 24 hours, but went from -15 to above zero in a short period of time. It’s still winter in the area around the Great Lakes, but temperatures may rise during the week.
0:46It can also be very cold in the Netherlands
The Netherlands doesn’t get the same harsh winter weather as the US. Our flat country has no better slide than the Rocky Mountains. Plus, we have “everything” to stop cold air, Severin explains. Wind must pass over mountains and bodies of water in Norway, Sweden and others. As a result, there is a greater chance of weakening the frosty weather. “Arctic air can never reach freezing cold without interruption.”
However, it can be very cold in the Netherlands. The best conditions for this are snow cover, no wind and crystal clear skies.
As a result, the temperature in the Netherlands dropped below zero. For example, the national record is 27.4 degrees below zero. That temperature was measured in Winterswijk on January 27, 1942. A recent record was measured in Marknesse on February 4, 2012. The mercury dropped to 22.8 degrees below zero there.
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