A colossal polar vortex has descended upon the United States, threatening to plunge half the nation into a prolonged and bitter deep freeze that is forecast to last until at least January 25. Meteorologists warn this extensive winter blast could grip the country for up to 14 days, with arctic air flooding south from Canada and sending temperatures tumbling.
Nationwide Temperature Plunge and Southern Snow
The frigid airmass is driving temperatures to remarkable lows for January. Major cities including Chicago and New York are expected to see mercury levels dive to as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit below their seasonal averages. The cold has already surged into typically warm regions, with Florida issuing a statewide freeze alert after temperatures fell below 40°F (4°C) on Friday morning.
Forecasters at AccuWeather predict this cold snap will bring a rare chance of snow to the South and Southeast this weekend. Areas of southern Alabama and southwestern Georgia could see accumulation on Saturday night. Alex DaSilva, an AccuWeather Meteorologist, cautioned that 'even a brief burst of wintry weather can create slick and hazardous travel conditions, especially on bridges and overpasses.'
Between Saturday and Sunday, up to an inch of snow may accumulate across parts of Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Furthermore, a significant coastal storm developing from Maryland to Maine this weekend is expected to bring snow to Atlantic communities between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.
How the Polar Vortex Was Unleashed
The culprit is the polar vortex, a spinning whirlpool of cold air high in the atmosphere above the North Pole. Normally contained by strong winds, it has been disrupted. Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather's lead long-range meteorologist, explained that strong storms and high-pressure systems sent ripples of warmer air upward, knocking the vortex off balance.
This disruption has allowed icy air from Canada and Greenland to spill far south, blanketing the US from the Dakotas to New England and from the Canadian border down to the Gulf Coast. Over 30 states are directly in the path of this intense cold.
Sports, Reptiles, and Widespread Impacts
The severe conditions are set to impact several NFL playoff games. The Divisional Round matchup between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening is predicted to be one of the coldest games ever played, with gametime temperatures in Chicago forecast around 7°F (-14°C). This would make it the third-coldest game in Soldier Field's history. In New England, snow showers are expected at Gillette Stadium for the Patriots vs. Texans game, with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s°F (1-2°C).
In Florida, the unusual chill triggered 'falling iguana' alerts. As cold-blooded reptiles, iguanas can become temporarily paralysed when temperatures drop below 40°F, causing them to lose their grip and fall from trees where they sleep. The National Weather Service issued freeze warnings across the state, from northern regions down to Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers in the south, with a cold weather advisory extending to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Residents across the eastern and central US are urged to prepare for a sustained period of harsh winter weather, with significant travel disruptions and dangerous cold likely through the remainder of January.
