An arctic air mass has descended into the United States, bringing record-breaking cold temperatures that will affect over 200 million people this week. A disrupted polar vortex is causing this frigid weather, which is expected to persist into December. The coldest air of the season is sweeping across the Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, and into the Northeast, following a recent winter storm.
The polar vortex has weakened, allowing cold Arctic air to spill into the midlatitudes. This has resulted in temperatures dropping well below zero in many areas. Dangerous snow squalls, which can cause whiteout conditions and icy roads, are expected to accompany the cold air, particularly in upstate New York and central and northern New England.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the potential for snow squalls along a strong arctic cold front. These conditions pose significant hazards to travelers, with the potential for vehicle crashes and multi-car pileups.
Temperatures in the Midwest are expected to remain in the teens, which is 20 to 30 degrees lower than normal for early December. Cities like Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Des Moines might experience their coldest December 4 on record. The cold front could also break temperature records from Illinois to the East Coast, with Chicago and South Bend, Indiana, nearing their record lows.
In New York City, Friday (December 5) morning is expected to be the coldest since early March, with temperatures around 20 degrees. The cold and winter storms are linked to the polar vortex disruption that began in late November. This event has led to a wavier jet stream, causing frequent shifts between milder and frigid temperatures.
Meteorologists predict that the cold could persist well into December, with another wave of cold air potentially arriving by mid-month. The eastern United States is expected to experience colder-than-average temperatures as the month progresses.
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