New Jersey Should Brace For Winter (Not For The Reason You Think)

New Jerseyans should be bracing for the 2019-2020 winter season, but not for the reason that you think. When we think of the winter season, we immediately get our snowblowers, shovels, and warm clothes ready.

While we are not encouraging anyone NOT to get those items ready, it's becoming more and more evident that New Jerseyans should be getting ready for a record warm winter temperatures.

So you're thinking, well, that's not so bad, right? WRONG! Scientists agree that warmer temperatures during the wintertime could be very damaging to ecosystems that rely on the colder temperatures during the winter months.

According to data obtained by the National Weather Service, the average temperature in New Jersey during winter has been on the rise over the last decade.

For example, the average temperatures during December 2009 was just about 37 degrees. In 2018, the average temperature was 40 degrees. While the difference of three degrees might not seem like the biggest deal in the world to you, they are a big deal to bug populations and certain weather patterns.

According to theconservation.com, the reason why we have an influx of mosquitoes in the summertime is because of the mild winter temperatures, "milder winters allow species that can't usually hack it in the cold to squeak through winter alive, reproduce and establish themselves in a new location."

If the insect population survives the winter because of milder temperatures, they are also more likely to carry diseases through the winter and start infecting animals and humans in the Spring.

Scary right? Well, that's not even the worst thing.

According to MentalFloss, milder winters also have a moderate to a significant impact on weather patterns throughout the year, "when you put an active weather pattern together with warm and unstable air, it's almost inevitable that you'll wind up with strong thunderstorms at some point."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concur with reporting that this winter will be warmer than usual, "No areas of the United States are forecast to have below average temperatures when averaged over that three-month period."

So what's the deal? Yes, of course, we should get the snowblowers and shovels ready for the winter. We should also realize that winter is getting warmer and as a result, will have an impact on our way of life.

More from 92.7 WOBM: