Scientists say this change could become more common

The woman in the supermarket stood, staring at the strawberries in disbelief. It was January, with snow still lining the streets, yet the berries were large, shiny, and gave off a scent reminiscent of summer. A man passed by with a cart filled with peaches and corn—both clearly out of season—and without hesitation, added a plastic box of blueberries to his cart. The shelves were packed with summer produce, illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights.

Outside, a cold wind gusted against the automatic doors, and the contrast between the weather you were experiencing and the produce you were purchasing was almost palpable. Scientists say this stark contrast is just the beginning of a much larger issue.

The New “Normal”: What Scientists Are Tracking

The pattern is becoming clear: seasons are shifting. Winters are starting late, summers are lasting longer, and spring arrives suddenly instead of gradually. To many, this just seems like “weird weather” that makes for casual conversation.

For climate scientists, however, these fluctuations come with disturbing data, satellite imagery, and a growing sense that this may no longer be a temporary anomaly. There are more “record-breaking” days, heat where cold used to dominate, and nights that never seem to cool down.

What once seemed unusual is rapidly becoming routine. For instance, during Europe’s winter of 2023–2024, ski resorts opened with almost no snow—just patches of artificial white. In the U.S., cities from New York to Houston recorded midwinter temperatures that shattered decades-old records. Power grids, instead of battling blizzards, struggled with unexpected heatwaves.

These once-rare occurrences now happen almost every year in some part of the world.

Climate Extremes: What the Future Holds

Scientists have coined a term for this increasing frequency of extreme events: climate extremes. Heatwaves that were once “once-in-50-years” events are now predicted to occur several times within a decade. Rainfall is becoming more intense, turning into violent storms instead of steady showers. While cold snaps still occur, they are shorter, wilder, and more chaotic.

At the heart of this shift is a simple yet profound realization: the baseline is moving. What feels shocking today will become commonplace for those born this year. Our understanding of “normal weather” is quietly becoming outdated.

Adapting to the New Climate Reality

As climate extremes become the new norm, one of the most important things you can do is start paying attention to the weather in your own area. Track the hottest days, the first frost, and when flowers bloom. This personal approach to monitoring climate changes may seem simple, but it’s something scientists are urging us to do: notice the real changes happening in your own life and adapt.

This might mean planting trees to provide shade where your house gets the most sun, or adjusting your work hours on heat-alert days. By making small shifts now, you can reduce the panic when these extremes inevitably hit.

Small Actions Add Up

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when we can’t do everything perfectly. Yet, scientists warn that thinking we must do everything or nothing at all is the wrong mindset. Every small action counts—whether it’s avoiding a blackout, preventing flooding, or simply ensuring a city’s drainage system is in place. These seemingly insignificant actions can help prevent larger climate crises from affecting your community.

The Quiet Mental Shift We Must Embrace

Behind all the data and charts, the most significant change is mental. For decades, we viewed the climate as a stable backdrop. Now, that backdrop is shifting, and we’re learning to interact with it. It can be a painful realization, but also an awakening. Once you begin noticing the effects of weather on your everyday life, it becomes personal. You see the connection between a drought halfway across the world and the price of bread in your store, or between a flood and the insurance premiums you pay.

In this new reality, one question looms: how will we adjust? Perhaps the answer lies in local actions—installing solar panels, redesigning streets to stay cooler, or checking on neighbors during a heatwave. Together, these actions help shape the world we will live in.