US Weather Forecast: Polar Vortex Brings Extreme Cold
The cold air will move in on Saturday and spread across the country through next week, with temperatures expected to be well below historical averages, and some areas seeing lows of minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, affecting 89% of the contiguous US, with 27% expected to be below 0°F (-18°C) by the end of next week.
A severe cold snap is sweeping across the US, with Arctic air expected to spread across the country, including Europe, bringing with it the 10th and potentially chilliest polar vortex of the winter season, according to the National Weather Service.
The cold snap, which started in the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Saturday, will persist for the next week, with temperatures expected to drop to as low as 14°F (-10°C) in some areas. Strong winds will make the cold feel even worse, with every state except Hawaii, California, and Florida expected to experience some or all parts of subfreezing temperatures.
Meteorologists expect Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa to experience the most extreme cold, with temperatures as much as 35°F (19°C) below normal. A big blob of high pressure over Greenland will push the jet stream into a pattern that will cause polar air to plunge and stay in place, contributing to the cold snap. The world, however, remains in an overall warming pattern, with Earth's average temperature setting a new record in January.
The repeated polar vortex invasions have made this winter unusual, and meteorologists are struggling to forecast when the cold will finally subside. As the US braces for the extreme cold, residents are advised to take necessary precautions to stay warm and safe, with wind chills reaching 40 below zero or lower in the Northern Plains.
