Polar vortex to fuel dangerous spread of arctic air as coldest temperatures will linger over US for weeks
With more than 170 million Americans facing below-average temperatures, even colder weather may be on the horizon due to displacement. polar vortex This will lock in the winter feeling and leave the coldest weather in North America.
Cold weather will continue in some parts of the USA in the coming weeks due to the influence of the polar vortex.
This animation shows what a polar vortex is and where it comes from.
Typically a strong polar vortex keeps the coldest air locked around the North and South poles. When it weakens, it allows cold air to enter the lower latitudes, opening a window for cold air to flow into the lower latitudes. WeBut what we face now is different.
In this case, the polar vortex has stretched or lengthened rather than weakened significantly. When this happens, the coldest air cannot concentrate in a single area and is instead dispersed over a wide area, leading to long periods of cold.
Under current conditions, the displaced polar vortex will keep the coldest air at the top. North America and causes long-term cold weather in the eastern part lower 48 Until the end of January.
Looking ahead, forecast guidance suggests that the two lobes of the polar vortex may begin to recombine, re-strengthening the overall vortex, acting as a focused reservoir of Arctic air.
If the entire core of the polar vortex shifts away from and towards the poles CanadaIt will create a “direct channel” for cold temperatures to flow into the US
The first of the cold snaps from this vortex will first form in Canada late next week before moving south towards the United States as we enter the last week of January.
It is not yet known how cold the weather will get, but the biggest possibility of cold weather will come from the north. Rocky Mountainsfrom the north Plains, Great Lakes and into Northeast.
So bundle up, the heart of winter lies ahead of you and it looks like it may be especially cold this year.
The tense displacement of the polar vortex, which could create prolonged cold spells for millions of Americans across the Northern Tier, comes as a deep winter cold settles in the East.
Winter will be back in full swing after January’s rapid thaw across much of the Lower 48 temperatures From the top it falls well below average midwest and extending into Florida This week.
By Thursday, the jet stream will move south and temperatures will drop 10 to 20 degrees below average across the state. MiamiAccording to the FOX Prediction Center, this situation will remain close to the season average.
Friday morning may be the coldest morning of the week; Freezing temperatures reach as far south jacksonville And Daytona Beach. To gain perspective on the severity of cold, Tallahassee It is predicted to be 26 degrees; Meanwhile, Denver— located 1,630 miles away and at an elevation of 5,155 feet — the temperature that same morning was predicted to be 27 degrees.
Snow May Show in the South as Weekend Chances Increase
By Thursday, this first hit of arctic air will plunge more than 170 million Americans into below-average temperatures. parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast will feel the cold, the most important change will occur worldwide Southeast; like cities Nashville, of Atlanta And louisville The highest temperature in the afternoon may not even reach 40 degrees.
A second round of bitterly cold weather will hit the Upper Midwest on Saturday, where high temperatures may struggle to reach 10 degrees.
This deep freeze will continue through the weekend and early next week. To make matters worse, wind chills are expected to drop to -10 to -20 degrees. Minneapolis And Chicago Sunday.
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Original article source: Polar vortex will trigger dangerous spread of arctic air as coldest temperatures last for weeks in US
