The United States is preparing for what could be its snowiest winter in five years, with climate experts warning that a frigid December will set the stage for a bitterly cold season. A significant polar vortex event is already underway, promising a harsh introduction to the months ahead.
A Roller Coaster of Cold: The Three-Stage Winter Onslaught
According to Judah Cohen, a prominent meteorologist and climate scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this winter's severe weather will not arrive in one single blast. Instead, Americans are in for a punishing cycle of cold that he describes as 'rinse, lather, repeat,' with each phase potentially more intense than the last.
Paul Pastelok, a lead forecaster at Accuweather, echoed this alarming prediction. He agreed the season would unfold in three distinct surges, likening them to an 'appetizer, entree, and dessert' of wintry conditions. The first major surge of cold air hit in early December, bringing mild snowfall and record-breaking low temperatures. Notably, San Francisco's Bay Area shattered a 103-year-old temperature record, hitting just 50°F on November 30th.
Record-Breaking Cold and the Ghost of Winters Past
Following a brief respite, the second and potentially more ferocious wave is forecast for the week of December 14th. This stage is expected to hammer the Midwest and Northeast hardest, with temperatures potentially plunging into negative double digits in some areas. Many states already broke November snowfall records, and this second phase threatens to topple December benchmarks as well.
Pastelok draws a stark comparison between this winter's pattern and the notorious 2013-2014 season, often dubbed 'Snowpocalypse' or 'Snowmaggedon'. That year brought historic, crippling storms, particularly across the southeastern US, where cities like Atlanta were brought to a complete standstill by relatively small but rapid snowfalls.
While Cohen believes this winter may not reach those extreme 'Hall of Fame' levels, calling it more of an 'all-star' season, he acknowledges the similarities. "For now it could certainly start out like 2013-2014," he stated. The key difference this year is the staggered nature of the polar vortex descent, arriving in stages rather than all at once.
Prospects for a White Christmas and a Long Winter
Looking further ahead, Cohen suggests that northeastern cities, including New York, may be 'past due' for a significant snowy winter after five relatively mild seasons. While he admits "the crystal ball is a little cloudy," there is a strong chance of wintry weather persisting through to December 25th.
The Old Farmer's Almanac supports this outlook, indicating a high probability of a white Christmas for the Northeast, the Lower Lakes region, and Alaska. Areas like Appalachia, the Ohio Valley, and the Midwest are also tipped to receive festive snowfall. As the nation bundles up, the overarching message from forecasters is clear: prepare for a long, cold, and potentially record-breaking winter shaped by a relentless, three-act polar vortex.
