Omaha experiences record high and low temperatures in less than 72 hours

On Sunday, it was 32 degrees in Omaha, Nebraska. On Tuesday, it was 100 degrees.

In an incredible meteorlogical shift, the state experienced both its record low and record high temperatures in less than 72 hours.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that May 14 is the earliest day on record that the temperature in Omaha has reached triple digits, according to data from the National Weather Service. The temperature hasn’t been in that range in Omaha so early in the year since 1871.

In fact, Barbara Mayes of the National Weather Service says the official number could get even hotter before the day is over.

Amazingly, on Sunday there was still snow on the ground while on Tuesday, most residents were wearing shorts and sunscreen.

The largest temperature change on record within a 24 hour period occurred in Loma, Montana in 1972 when the temperature changed from -54 to 49 °F.

So, why was there such a dramatic shift in temperatures?

Dry air heading up from the Gulf of Mexico is to blame for both the extreme high and low temperatures, Mayes said that and a mixing of weather in the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere have led to a spike in temperatures across the region. On Tuesday, it was 103 degrees in Sioux City, Iowa and 100 degrees in Columbus, Ohio.

Adding to the weather drama, temperatures were already beginning to plummet in Omaha, with weather expected to be significantly cooler on Wednesday.