New Orleans (AP) – A significant portion of the American population is bracing for an extended period of bitterly cold weather originating from Siberia. Meteorologists have predicted another polar vortex disturbance that will carry Arctic air over the northern hemisphere, resulting in what is expected to be the coldest temperatures during Donald Trump’s second inauguration in 40 years.
Commencing in the Rockies on Thursday night, the cold front will sweep eastward, reaching as far south as the upper Florida peninsula over the course of several days. Private meteorologist Ryan Maue estimates that up to 280 million Americans will experience temperatures colder than those in Anchorage, Alaska, for a day or two.
Describing this as one of the most severe cold outbreaks in the past decade or more, winter weather expert Judah Cohen of Atmospheric Environmental Research explained that the frigid air is being drawn from Siberia, a pattern consistent with polar vortex expansions that originate in Siberia and extend to the United States.
The cold snap is expected to reach Washington well before Trump’s inauguration ceremony outside the U.S. Capitol on Monday. The National Weather Service has forecast temperatures around 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-6 degrees Celsius) at noon during the inauguration, marking the coldest inaugural ceremony since Ronald Reagan’s second term when temperatures plummeted to 7 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-14 degrees Celsius). Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration saw temperatures at 28 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-2 degrees Celsius).
In addition to the low temperatures, strong winds of 30 to 35 mph (48 to 56 kph) are expected, producing wind chills in the single digits. Washington may experience temperatures in the single digits later in the week, potentially nearing zero by Wednesday morning, with the possibility of record lows in Baltimore and other areas.
Approximately 80 million individuals are projected to encounter subzero temperatures at some point during this cold spell, with the lowest temperatures anticipated on Tuesday morning. According to Maue, the average low temperature for the Lower 48 states on Tuesday morning is anticipated to be around 7 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-14 degrees Celsius).
Forecasts suggest that a corridor stretching from Chicago to Indianapolis, Columbus, Ohio, and Pittsburgh will experience the harshest conditions compared to their typical temperatures, with calm winds exacerbating the extreme cold over snow-covered areas.
The frigid conditions may extend as far south as the Gulf Coast and northern Florida, with the potential for record-breaking cold daytime highs rather than just overnight lows.
This pronounced chill is attributed to a disruption in the polar vortex, a phenomenon where cold air typically confined to the North Pole is pushed southward across North America. These instances of vortex distortion have become more frequent in recent years, with experts linking them to human-induced climate change.
As the cold front approaches, there may be sporadic snow squalls, but the predominant concern is the bone-chilling temperatures. Described as a dry cold, this weather pattern is expected to persist due to the elongation of
The Arctic’s changing climate is leading to decreasing pressure and temperature differences between the region and the rest of the world. These changes are impacting the jet stream, a high-altitude, fast-moving air current that plays a crucial role in shaping weather patterns across the globe. As a result, cold air and weather systems are being pushed further southward, creating a roller coaster effect of temperature extremes.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the impacts of these shifts in the jet stream. On the eastern side of the affected regions, there is a surge of cold air and the potential for record-breaking high pressure systems. Meanwhile, on the western side, particularly in southern California, warmer air is prevailing alongside extreme pressure differences. These conditions are exacerbating the already strong winds that are fueling the devastating wildfires plaguing the Los Angeles area.
The current weather patterns are forecasted to persist for a significant period. While there is some uncertainty among experts regarding the duration of this extreme cold outbreak, below-average temperatures are expected to linger across much of the country until the end of the month. Jason Furtado, a meteorology professor at the University of Oklahoma, highlighted the possibility of this unusual weather pattern continuing based on long-range forecasts, with a potential recurrence of polar vortex conditions in early February.
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