Extreme Weather Batters North America and Australia

As climate change intensifies, record-breaking snow storms and heat waves become more common worldwide

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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This week, extreme weather events have hit both North America and Australia. In the U.S., Winter Storm Fern set snow records and a bomb cyclone is expected to hit the Southeast, while southern Australia is experiencing a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures reaching 120°F. Scientists say that while individual weather events cannot be directly attributed to climate change, the increasing frequency and intensity of such extremes are likely due to the effects of global warming.

Why it matters

As the planet continues to warm, climate scientists warn that extreme weather events like these will become more common. The rise in greenhouse gas emissions is causing air and ocean temperatures to increase, leading to shifting weather patterns that can supercharge storms, droughts, heat waves, and other natural disasters. Understanding the connection between climate change and extreme weather is crucial for preparing communities and mitigating the impacts.

The details

In the U.S., Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snowfall and record-breaking cold temperatures to parts of the country last weekend, quickly followed by the arrival of a powerful bomb cyclone expected to hit the Southeast this weekend. Across the globe in southern Australia, a heat dome has set new temperature records, with the mercury reaching 120°F—the most severe heat wave the country has experienced in 16 years.

  • Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snow and record-breaking cold to parts of the U.S. last weekend.
  • A bomb cyclone is expected to hit the Southeast U.S. this weekend.
  • Southern Australia experienced a record-breaking heat wave from January 5-10, 2026.

The players

Gary Lackmann

Professor in the department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at NC State University.

Marshall Shepherd

Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia and former president of the American Meteorological Society.

William Ripple

Co-lead author of the 2025 State of the Climate report.

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What they’re saying

“You can't really attribute any specific single weather event to climate change.”

— Gary Lackmann, Professor (dnyuz.com)

“[Climate change] loads the dice a little bit towards more extreme events.”

— Gary Lackmann, Professor (dnyuz.com)

“What we're finding is that the intensity and the frequency of the most extreme events is certainly likely to have the DNA of climate change.”

— Marshall Shepherd, Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program (dnyuz.com)

“Yes, you probably can get a heat wave naturally, but in this climate change era, they're on steroids.”

— Marshall Shepherd, Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program (dnyuz.com)

“What used to be a rare, unusually hot day is now much more common, becoming part of our new normal weather.”

— William Ripple, Co-lead author (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

Scientists will continue to study the links between climate change and extreme weather events, and policymakers will likely face increasing pressure to address the root causes of global warming.

The takeaway

As the planet continues to warm, extreme weather events like record-breaking snow storms and heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. While no single event can be directly attributed to climate change, the overall trend points to the need for urgent action to mitigate the effects of global warming and prepare communities for the challenges ahead.