With lows dipping into wind chill temperatures of nearly negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and highs inching into the 60’s, Bloomington has seen just about every side of the temperature spectrum. The past week has subjected students to some of the most extreme weather conditions; a polar vortex, monsoon-like rains, and ice showers.
The polar vortex that affected much of the United States and took the lives of at least 21 people, caused IU to cancel classes on Wednesday, January 31 for the first time since 2014. Prior to the university’s decision to cancel classes for the day, the campus was buzzing with the controversy of what decision IU would make. One student, Josh Bromberg, felt inclined to make a Change.org petition, but had no idea the type of attention it would receive. His petition for IU to cancel classes gained nearly 30,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. He calls it his “fifteen minutes of fame.”
The temperatures in Bloomington were colder than some parts of Antarctica, Alaska, and Mount Everest, and the dangers that come with temperatures, are no joke. In less than 10 minutes, exposed skin can begin to develop frostbite. In extreme cases, Hypothermia and even death can occur. Dr. Repetto, an ER doctor at IU Health, recommends wearing sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from the wind. Without them, it is possible for the corneas of the eyes to freeze.
But the cold did not stay long. This past Wednesday, temperatures were in the 60’s. The warmth came with a catch, however. On Thursday, IU’s campus was attacked with flash flooding, a tornado warning, and a campus covered in inches of water. Classes were not canceled this time, but many students found it near impossible to get to class, with the Jordan River overflowing and multiple roads blocked off. Student’s houses and even on-campus buildings, like Bryan Hall, were flooded. Shocking or not, by the next morning, temperatures overnight dropped back to wind chills of negative two degrees, freezing much of the rain that had just fallen. IU issued a public safety advisory warning students, faculty, and staff, to dress appropriately for cold weather, stay away from floodwater, take special care if driving overnight, and call 911 if you see someone in need of help.
With all of these changes in the weather, questions regarding climate change and global warming never fail to arise. President Trump even tweeted, “In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People cant last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Warming? Please come back fast, we need you!”
But climate and weather are not the same, so it is likely that this significant dip in temperature has nothing to do with global warming. Nathaniel Geiger, an Associate Professor in the Media School, has conducted research regarding environmental communication, and explains why exactly we are experiencing these changes in the weather.
In the upcoming week, the weather Bloomington is expected to experience is in the 30-50 degree range. But, as unpredictable as Indiana weather has proved itself to be, anything can happen, so it is always important to remain alert as to what conditions could occur.