Polar Vortex Could Make January One of Coldest in Years

A polar vortex could bring the coldest January the U.S. has faced in years. National Weather Service experts told Newsweek that Americans can expect a colder-than-average start to the new year. Why It Matters So far, this winter has seen one of the warmest Decembers on record in much of the northern United States. Though many residents experienced snow around the holidays, snow coverage was still at or near 20-year lows. However, the polar vortex could bring severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, that could affect travel conditions or prompt school closures. What To Know A polar vortex is a stream of cold air that normally spins around the poles high in the stratosphere. The phenomenon, which blasts Arctic air across part of North America, can disrupt weather patterns. When the polar vortex becomes weakened, it can lead to colder weather in the eastern United States. When a sudden stratospheric warming occurs, the vortex stretches or even splits with its center away from the pole. The stretch causes the air “leak” into the atmosphere, making the winter even colder. AccuWeather also reported that, should the vortex hit, it could prompt “some of the coldest air of the season” during February. Candice Hrencecin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston, told Newsweek that “the next week or so is going to be colder than usual.” Temperatures in the evening on Friday might not climb above the teens, she added. Further west, Mike Griesinger, the lead forecaster for the National Weather Service office in the Twin Cities, told Newsweek his area might not see too much beyond a cold, dry flow of weather. “It kind of leads to a lot of uncertainty when it gets to the Mississippi River and the Northern Plains. It’s kind of on a day-to-day basis as to where is the arctic air,” he added. Griesinger expected Minnesotans to see “some cold bursts,” but unless there’s snow already on the ground—the area currently has none—the temperatures won’t dip as low as below zero, he said. The aftermath of a snowstorm in New York in 2016. A polar vortex is forecast to affect the early months of 2025. The aftermath of a snowstorm in New York in 2016. A polar vortex is forecast to affect the early months of 2025. auseklis/Getty What People Are Saying Brian Mitchell, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told Newsweek: “Locally in the area in northern Ohio and the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, the cold air is going to start in on New Year’s Day. Temperatures are going to start a downward trend. We might stay below freezing certainly in the next week … The trend is certainly below normal temperatures through two weeks into the new year, maybe even through mid-January.” Candice Hrencecin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston, told Newsweek: “We honestly don’t have any significant snow chances coming in at all over the weekend, we might see some low stuff on Monday, but it is going to get colder, for sure.” Meteorologist Ryan Maue wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on December 30: “This is a long-lasting and potentially severe cold event for the Eastern U.S. + potential for significant snow from winter storms in the South and Northeast.” Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote on X on December 29: “A lobe of the polar vortex threatens to bring some seriously cold and possibly snowy weather to the United States during the week of January 6th. Frigid air will overtake just about the entire country.” What Happens Next The National Weather Service has advised the public to check the forecast for their area on weather.gov to ensure they are dressed appropriately. The agency said that while there is no cause to be alarmed by news of the polar vortex, people should be prepared for colder temperatures.