Editor-DN
The polar vortex, a powerful upper atmospheric phenomenon that traps cold air near the Arctic, is poised to unleash cold conditions across the eastern United States. It comes as the gyre weakens and moves south, bringing cold, icy Arctic air down, and temperatures near dangerously low levels. Next week, the eastern half of the country will bear the brunt of the damage, while temperatures could drop as low as 30 degrees below normal in some areas. That would be quite a change from last year’s record winter heat. This has led to an impending severe, extended cold event across much of the country.
According to CNN, Temperatures are shaping up to be the coldest of the winter so far and will remain cold even during what is already typically the coldest time of the year. The cold will spread—more than 70 percent of the country’s population will experience freezing temperatures over the next week—and freeze well into the month, increasing the chance of snow.
The first push of cold air will arrive for northern Central America on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to be in the single digits or high teens for parts of Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. Cold air will move south and east each day for the rest of the week and into the weekend. The West will be largely devoid of any significant cold, as has been the trend since at least the fall.
It is held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Issued important messages Regarding the climate forecast, he said, “A significant change in pattern is expected over most of the country as an arctic epidemic is predicted to spread from the northern plains to the south and east, leading to An unusually high chance of below-normal temperatures is expected in most parts of the country.” .
What is a polar vortex?
According to National Weather Service (NWS) In the United States, the polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds both of Earth’s poles. It is always present near the poles, but becomes weaker in summer and stronger in winter. The term “eddy” refers to the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep cold air near the poles. Many times during the Northern Hemisphere winter, the polar vortex will expand, moving cold air south along the jet stream (see graphic above). It occurs fairly regularly during the winter and is often associated with large expanses of arctic air over the United States. The January 2014 cold outbreak is similar to many other cold outbreaks that have occurred in the past, including several notable cold outbreaks in 1977, 1982, 1985, and 1989.
