New NASA map shows dramatic impacts of 'bomb cyclone' and polar vortex
A new map released by NASA shows how dramatic temperature changes have gripped the United States and even the world.
As parts of the United States faced wind chill temperatures 100 degrees below F, and much of the East Coast battled a brutal winter storm, the West Coast has dealt with temperatures higher than normal.
The map from NASA's Earth Observatory land surface temperature changes across America compared to 2001-2010 average for the same day period, stretching from December 26, 2017 to January 2, 2018.
Red areas mean temperatures are hotter than average and blue areas are colder.
It's Cold—And Hot—in North America https://t.co/adWWLacVbO#NASApic.twitter.com/bLAIYykYa4
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) January 3, 2018
A broader image released by NASA shows that much of Europe, Asia and the Middle East are abnormally warm.
"The map of North America underscores one of the realities of weather—when a cold snap hits one region, warmth often bakes another one," NASA explained in a statement released alongside the image.
The map specifically depicted land temperatures, which are different from air temperatures that forecasters typically focus on, but land temperatures can have significant impacts on environment, including crops.
