A significant snow and ice storm, accompanied by severely cold temperatures, is set to impact the eastern two-thirds of the United States as frigid air escapes from the Arctic, reaching as far south as Florida, according to meteorological predictions.
Beginning Saturday, millions are expected to experience moderate to heavy snowfall stretching from Kansas City to Washington, D.C. The National Weather Service has indicated a strong likelihood of at least 8 inches of snow across central Kansas and Indiana. Additionally, hazardous ice is anticipated to accumulate in southern Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and much of Kentucky and West Virginia. Ryan Maue, a private meteorologist, described the forecasted ice as being heavy enough to resemble “paste,” complicating movement and posing risks to power lines.
Maue expressed concerns over the impending storm, calling it “a mess” and warning that it could potentially lead to disaster. He explained that such weather patterns have not been observed in a considerable time. National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Lamers added that the conditions for a blizzard are intensifying, particularly in Kansas and adjacent areas of the Central Plains, with expected wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph at times.
As the storm clears on Monday, forecasts reveal that residents from central to eastern U.S. will face dangerously low temperatures and severe wind chills that could last throughout the week. Meteorologists predict temperatures could plummet to 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) below average, as the polar vortex drapes itself down from the Arctic regions.
AccuWeather’s Director of Forecast Operations, Dan DePodwin, stated this situation might lead to one of the coldest Januarys in the U.S. since the year 2011. He emphasized that this won’t be a short-lived cold spell, suggesting a duration of three to five days, or possibly even longer, with temperatures falling well below historical norms.
The areas most affected by the unusual cold are expected to be centered in the Ohio Valley, but the cold weather system will also extend down to the Gulf Coast. Danny Barandiaran from the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center noted that while forecasts have somewhat improved from previous predictions of extreme cold, the impact on the country will still be notable.
In Florida, a hard freeze is expected, while parts near the Canadian border may experience temperatures at or around zero degrees. Maue warned that any thaw will be slow in coming.
Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Institute, noted that the initial surge of cold winds could be shocking to those who have enjoyed mild winter conditions in recent years. She cautioned that the wind chills would be harsh and acknowledged that cold snaps, regardless of global warming, are still a reality during winter months.
This dual threat of harsh weather is thought to be partly linked to the accelerating warming in the Arctic. Experts suggest that climate change is exacerbating weather extremes, including winter conditions. The polar vortex, which is essentially a rotating pool of frigid air many miles above the North Pole, typically remains confined to that region. However, at times, it breaks loose or extends into the United States, Europe, or Asia, resulting in sharp declines in temperatures for many.
Research conducted by Judah Cohen and others has shown an increase in the polar vortex’s wandering behavior. They published findings attributing these cold outbreaks partially to the fourfold increase in the warming rate of the Arctic compared to the rest of the globe. The temperature changes alongside the loss of Arctic sea ice are affecting the jet stream’s stability, prompting dramatic shifts in air, which can lead to cold air plunging southward and prolonging extreme weather occurrences.
According to Francis, the situation about to unfold is a practical demonstration of these dynamics at play.
