A DBUNK subscriber submitted a request for us to fact check an article published by the Associated Press on February 17, 2025, discussing extreme winter weather across the United States. Readers have raised questions about the causes of these extreme weather events and whether the article accurately represents the science behind them.
Fact Check Findings
The AP article reports on record-breaking cold temperatures and deadly flooding, which are accurately attributed to a polar vortex and severe storms. However, it omits key context about the role of climate change in intensifying these events. A casual reader might assume from the article that such extreme weather is part of normal weather patterns, when in fact, scientific research has consistently shown that climate change is making storms, floods, and polar vortex shifts more extreme and unpredictable.
One major oversight is the failure to acknowledge how human-caused climate change contributes to polar vortex disruptions. The article states that “weather forces in the Arctic are pushing chilly air that usually stays near the North Pole into the U.S. and Europe,” but it does not explain that rising global temperatures can destabilize the polar vortex, allowing frigid air to push farther south. According to NOAA and multiple climate studies, the warming Arctic weakens the jet stream, making these cold outbreaks more severe.
Additionally, when discussing the deadly flooding in the Eastern U.S., the article fails to mention that increased precipitation and extreme rainfall are linked to climate change. The National Climate Assessment has found that the frequency of heavy downpours in the U.S. has significantly risen due to a warming atmosphere holding more moisture. Leaving out this critical detail may mislead readers into believing that these floods are purely random occurrences rather than influenced by broader climate trends.
What’s Really Causing These Disasters?
A common question we received was: Are these disasters just natural weather patterns, or is climate change making everything worse? The answer is both.
Polar vortex shifts have always existed. However, recent scientific research shows that warming temperatures in the Arctic are increasing the frequency and severity of these disruptions. The same goes for floods—storms have always happened, but warmer air and oceans are amplifying rainfall totals, making flooding more intense.
By leaving out the influence of climate change, the AP article presents an incomplete picture. While the reporting on the immediate facts of the storms is accurate, it lacks the necessary context to help readers understand why these events are becoming more common and destructive.
Conclusion
The Associated Press article correctly covers the storms and extreme cold impacting the U.S., but it omits crucial scientific context regarding climate change. By failing to discuss how global warming is influencing these weather patterns, the article leaves readers with an incomplete understanding of the broader forces at play.
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Read the original article here: AP News
