WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the polar vortex reached its intensity affecting a large portion of the United States, creating a severe cold spell that made even Arctic Greenland appear comparatively warm. In fact, conditions on Mars were warmer than those in North Dakota during this frigid blast.
However, there is some optimism in the forecast. Meteorologists predict that some of the coldest regions in the U.S. may experience a temperature rise of up to 90 degrees by early next week. This temporary relief will be followed by yet another wave of cold air expected to sweep in during the first week of March.
Interestingly, Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, boasted a temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) on Wednesday, making it 11 degrees (6 degrees Celsius) warmer than Washington, D.C. The continental U.S. recorded an average low temperature of 13.7 degrees (minus 10.2 Celsius) on the same day, with forecasts indicating a slight drop in temperatures by Thursday. Ryan Maue, a private meteorologist, noted these extreme conditions.
Meanwhile, portions of Greenland are experiencing what can be termed a winter heat wave, with temperatures reaching around 41 degrees (5 degrees Celsius) on a glacier since February 12, prompting an alarming sustained melt, according to Danish ice scientist Jason Box. Ted Scambos, an ice scientist from the University of Colorado, highlighted concerns over the growing year-round nature of the melting cycle in Greenland.
The polar vortex, which typically contains frigid air at the Arctic, has reached its 10th expansion this winter and the 13th since October, sending frigid air down to as far south as southern Texas. Meteorologist Judah Cohen explained that high-pressure systems in Greenland may be exacerbating this cold snap by funneling cold air southward.
“This is the worst of the winter,” Maue expressed, indicating that many locations are experiencing record lows for this time of year. Andrew Orrison from the National Weather Service confirmed that Wednesday marked the peak intensity of this polar air outbreak, causing widespread breaking of low-temperature records. For instance, Bismarck, North Dakota, recorded an unprecedented low of minus 39 degrees Fahrenheit (both Fahrenheit and Celsius) on Tuesday, while the Gale Crater on Mars even reached higher temperatures.
On Wednesday, Hettinger, North Dakota, recorded the extreme temperature of minus 45 degrees (minus 43 Celsius). However, forecasts indicate that by Sunday, parts of North Dakota could see temperatures soar to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), resulting in a dramatic temperature shift.
The thawing process will take some time; during Saturday and Sunday, around 230 million Americans may still experience sub-freezing temperatures. This number is expected to drop significantly in the following days, with the entire country predicted to reach above freezing on Tuesday. Maue noted the anticipated arrival of warmer Pacific air, stating, “It just has to get here. It’s trying.”
While the eastern United States is undergoing an extended deep freeze, the rest of the planet is experiencing warmer conditions. On Monday, global temperatures were reported to be 0.8 degrees (0.45 degrees Celsius) above the 1991 to 2020 average, as per data from the European climate service Copernicus.
Looking ahead, computer model forecasts indicate that the polar vortex could stretch again around March 5, which, while atypical for this time of year, fits the unpredictable patterns this winter has demonstrated. Cohen pointed out that the increase in polar vortex stretching events may be linked to climate change, with the Arctic warming significantly faster than other regions of the world. Additionally, natural phenomena like La Niña, which affects weather patterns globally, appear to contribute to these anomalies as well.
Over the past five winters, February has increasingly taken on the coldest temperatures typically reserved for January, a trend that is evident this year as well.
