Polar Vortex Map Shows Which States Will Be Hit Hardest

Forecasts continue to point toward the Arctic polar vortex bringing chilling winds across swathes of the U.S. in the new year. Why It Matters The polar vortex may lead to severe weather conditions, such as heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures in some regions, which could disrupt travel and lead to school closures. What To Know According to temperature outlook data, mapped by Pivotal Weather, Tennessee, as well as parts of Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and the Carolinas were the most likely to see low temperatures, with modeling suggesting a 90 percent chance of below-average temperatures. Forecast data for early January, mapped by Pivotal Weather. Large portions of the U.S. South, Midwest and East are expected to see below-average temperatures. Forecast data for early January, mapped by Pivotal Weather. Large portions of the U.S. South, Midwest and East are expected to see below-average temperatures. Pivotal Weather There was an 80 percent chance in swathes of the Eastern and Southeastern U.S., with lower-than-usual temperatures also possible in a zone extending as far west as New Mexico and Wyoming. Research from AccuWeather, shared with Newsweek, indicated that bitterly cold air would sweep across much of the country by the middle of next week. AccuWeather’s long-range experts predict that Arctic air surges could cause temperatures across much of the eastern and central United States to drop 10 to 20 degrees or more below the historical average next week. If the cold wave reaches its full intensity, temperatures could fall 30 to 40 degrees below the historical average across regions from the northern Plains and Midwest to the interior Southeast during the first and second weeks of January, AccuWeather said. Such widespread, extreme cold could strain power grids, potentially leading to rolling blackouts, it added. The Arctic polar vortex, as defined by the National Weather Service (NWS), is a strong west-to-east wind system that forms in the stratosphere, approximately 10 to 30 miles above the North Pole, during winter. It is always present near the poles, though it weakens during summer and intensifies in winter. The NWS says that, during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the polar vortex often expands, carrying cold air southward alongside the jet stream. What People Are Saying Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 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.” Brian Mitchell, a National Weather Service meteorologist, previously 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.” What Happens Next The NWS encourages the public to check their local forecast at weather.gov to ensure they are dressed appropriately. While there is no need for alarm over news of the polar vortex, the agency advises being prepared for colder temperatures. Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com