TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — Temperatures aren’t the only thing changing. Wind speeds are shifting across the country as the climate shifts.
As global temperatures rise, upper-level jet stream winds are expected to accelerate.
According to the U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Atmospheric Research, these winds could increase by about 2% for every 2 degrees Fahrenheit the world warms.
For Arizona, this shift may have little impact most of the year. But in Alaska, where the jet stream plays a bigger role, stronger winds are already becoming more common.
Steven Wood, an Alaska resident, has witnessed this firsthand in recent years.
“I was up in that window right there,” Wood said. “I thought that guy over there is going to lose his shingles, and then his whole roof peels off.”
In Arizona, the windy season may shorten over time. However, monsoon winds could intensify with warmer temperatures. And when the jet stream aligns with the state, record-breaking winds remain a possibility.
Back in 2021, Douglas and Terri Clark of Elgin saw this potential up close. Grass blown onto their property piled up, blocking their home.
“When we got up to let the dogs out for their morning run at about 6 a.m., we opened the door and couldn’t get out,” Douglas Clark said. “The grass was probably about 5 feet high, all the way up to the top of the window, and we couldn’t see out.”
Research into how warmer temperatures affect winds is ongoing. Experts say hurricanes could see stronger winds if oceans continue to warm, potentially causing more damage in storm-prone areas.