A powerful snow and ice storm accompanied by extremely cold weather is expected to impact the eastern two-thirds of the United States, with frigid air extending as far south as Florida. According to meteorologists, the Arctic blast will bring significant snowfall from Kansas City to Washington, with central Kansas to Indiana likely to see at least 8 inches of snow. Dangerous ice accumulation, posing a threat to power lines, is anticipated in southern Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Meteorologists warn that the upcoming storm could lead to blizzard conditions in certain areas, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. After the storm passes, a vast number of individuals in the affected regions will face bone-chilling temperatures and harsh wind chills for the entire week. The polar vortex’s intrusion from the high Arctic is expected to result in temperatures 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below normal, making this potentially the coldest January in the U.S. since 2011.
The frigid conditions are forecasted to persist for several days, affecting regions as far south as the Gulf Coast and potentially setting records for low temperatures. The cold spell, while not expected to break many records, will have a significant impact across the country, with even Florida experiencing a hard freeze.
Climate experts attribute this extreme weather event to a rapidly warming Arctic, emphasizing the link between climate change and increased weather variability. The phenomenon of the polar vortex descending into lower latitudes, resulting in severe cold snaps, is becoming more frequent due to these changing climate patterns.
Overall, the impending double onslaught of severe winter weather serves as a stark reminder of the complex relationship between climate change and extreme weather events.
Seth Borenstein and a group of researchers recently released a study linking cold outbreaks to rapid warming in the Arctic. The Arctic region is experiencing a warming trend four times faster than the global average, leading to significant changes in weather patterns. The diminishing sea ice in the Arctic has disrupted the jet stream, a high-altitude air current that guides weather systems. This disruption causes the jet stream to meander, allowing frigid air masses to reach lower latitudes while also intensifying extreme weather events.
According to Francis, one of the researchers involved in the study, the upcoming weather event serves as a prime example of how these dynamics can play out. The altered jet stream patterns are expected to result in persistent and disruptive weather conditions, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of Arctic warming on global weather systems.
For more in-depth coverage of climate-related topics, visit http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment. Stay updated with insights from Seth Borenstein by following him on Twitter at @borenbears.
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