Philly Records Shocking “Snowfall” in the Midst of July Heatwave
july snowfall philadelphia airport : Believe it or not, Philadelphia International Airport saw “snow” on July 14, 2024! But hold on, before you pack your winter coat, this wasn’t your typical snowfall. Let’s dig into the weird weather that surprised the City of Brotherly Love.
july snowfall philadelphia airport Philadelphia sweltered under a brutal heatwave this July. Temperatures soared into the high 90s, making residents crank up their air conditioners and dream of cooler days. But on July 14th, something truly bizarre happened – the National Weather Service (NWS) reported “snowfall” at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Hold your horses, snow enthusiasts! This wasn’t a winter wonderland situation. The “snowfall” was actually a mere trace, amounting to just a speck in the official records. However, it was enough to set a new record for the most snowfall ever recorded in Philadelphia on July 14th.
So, what exactly happened? The culprit behind this unusual event wasn’t a fluffy snowflake, but tiny balls of ice – hail. Thunderstorms rolled through the area, and the hail produced during the storm counted as “snow” in the NWS’s climate reports.
This record-breaking “snowfall” might seem like a quirky anomaly, but it wasn’t entirely unprecedented. The old record for July 14th snowfall, set in 1870, was a whopping zero inches. Believe it or not, the NWS has documented 13 other instances of trace amounts of “snow” being recorded at PHL during the summer months since 1911.
The question remains – how common is summer hail in Philadelphia? While not a frequent occurrence, it’s not unheard of either. july snowfall philadelphia airport These summer hailstorms often form when strong updrafts carry water vapor high into the atmosphere. As the moisture cools, it condenses and freezes, forming hailstones. When these hailstones become too heavy for the updrafts to support, they fall to the ground.
The news of Philadelphia’s “snow day” in July unsurprisingly took social media by storm. Twitter erupted with memes and jokes, with some users comparing the situation to a scene straight out of a Christmas movie. Others expressed confusion and amusement, wondering if they should pack their winter clothes for their upcoming trip to Philly.
Experts, however, are concerned. This unusual weather event might be a sign of a changing climate. Climate change can lead to more extreme weather events, including stronger thunderstorms and increased hail production. While a single trace of “snow” in July doesn’t necessarily prove anything, it serves as a reminder of the potential impact climate change could have on our weather patterns.
Conclusion july snowfall philadelphia airport
The “snowfall” at Philadelphia International Airport was a surprising and record-breaking event, but it wasn’t a traditional winter wonderland. Understanding the science behind hail formation helps explain this unusual occurrence. july snowfall philadelphia airport While social media had a field day with the news, experts warn that this could be a sign of climate change and its potential impact on weather patterns. The question remains – will we see more summer snow in Philly? Only time will tell.