Answer: The earth is trying to compensate for having excess heat in its atmosphere.
The oceans are a big heat sink. They “redistribute” the heat north and south (towards the poles) via currents so it can be dissipated. Storms, such as hurricanes/typhoons, also help to dissipate heat. Right now, the earth is overwhelmed with excess heat (more “coming in” than can be dissipated). This is throwing off the balance in the oceans (heat in, heat dissipated). This imbalance creates stronger cyclones (storms or areas of lower pressure) as well as stronger anticyclones (areas of fair weather or high-pressure ridges). The bigger the imbalance, the bigger the difference between the two types of cyclones (stronger storms and stronger ridges). “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” (Newton’s third law). Therefore, if there’s an anticyclone over the West Coast, there’s a cyclone over the east (drought vs. cold and snowy). The stronger the anticyclone, the deeper its opposite cyclone will be. (<- Meteorology 101)
Yes, I used Newton's law incorrectly. What my point was is that for every low-pressure trough, there is a high-pressure ridge. As a trough (cyclone) deepens, it will raise a ridge (anticyclone) out in front of itself and vice versa (picture a sine wave). They aren’t exactly proportionate as the earth wants to create equilibrium (nature abhors a vacuum). Therefore, some may be stronger while others may be weaker, but they’re always opposite each other.
Most surface and atmospheric heat comes from the sun (radiational heating), although some is generated by the earth itself (including infrared radiation). While much of the incoming radiation is reflected back out into space by the Earth's thick atmosphere, some of it makes it to the surface. At night, this heat radiates outward into space (heat rises, cold air sinks). However, certain gases in the atmosphere trap some of this heat and reflect it back down to the surface (like a blanket). If it weren’t for this reflection, the planet would cool beyond the ability for life to exist (as we know it).
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is good at letting heat in, but not letting it back out. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the less heat is able to radiate back into space. This excess heat causes surface temperatures to rise. More heat can mean more clouds (warm air holds more moisture than cold air). Clouds are mostly made up of Dihydrogen Monoxide (water) which is good at reflecting heat – whether that heat is coming in or going out. Therefore, the more cloud cover there is the less heat can be radiated into space.