Unusually Cold Temperatures Not Expected to Ease Next Week

Leave those winter coats, hats, and mittens out. Forecasters are predicting that a shift in the polar vortex will unleash more frigid temperatures throughout much of the U.S. next week. What can you expect for the timing and destination of the latest waves of Arctic air? Read on for all of the chilly details.

Next Batch of Arctic Air Expected by Early Next Week

The late-week blast of Arctic air is moving out into the Atlantic to end the week, leaving slightly warmer temperatures in its wake. However, yet another wave of bitterly cold temperatures is already set to dive down from central Canada early next week. This batch of air will move through the Midwest before pushing toward the East Coast. Unfortunately for those already tired of the cold, the long-range forecast is predicting that more infusions of unseasonably cold weather will persist until at least the third week of December.

What is behind this cold start to the meteorological winter? Meteorologists are detailing that a breakdown of the polar vortex is causing the most frigid temperatures to let loose from the Arctic Circle and expand to the south. A strong polar vortex generally keeps the coldest air on Earth locked up over the poles. Conversely, a weakening of this vortex allows the freezing temperatures to dip to the south.

The polar vortex has been weak since the end of November, resulting in more frequent intrusions of frigid temperatures into North America. This weak state is expected to continue for the next few weeks, keeping this cold pattern in place for much of the U.S.

The next batch of Arctic air is predicted to move from the northern Plains on Saturday and into the Midwest by Sunday. The eastern U.S. should prepare for this cold air to hit on Monday. Temperatures in the Midwest could fall below zero degrees early Monday, resulting in readings that land 15 to 25 degrees below the historical average for the first half of December.

Meteorologists are predicting that at least two to three more rounds of unseasonably cold weather will push through the Midwest and the East into the third week of December. The dramatic drop in the mercury could reach as far south as central Florida, raising the threat of frost or freeze conditions for the Southeast and parts of the Sunshine State.

The shorter days and weaker intensity of the sun this time of the year mean that the frigid temperatures can persist for much longer. Any areas that picked up snow last week will be even colder.

It has already been a week of unseasonably cold temperatures, with several areas of the Midwest setting new record low temperatures. New York City hit a new low for the season early Thursday when the official gauge in Central Park came in at just 24 degrees. Even colder temperatures are on the horizon for next week.  Windy conditions will amplify the chill in the air, with real feel readings forecast to slide 10 to 20 degrees lower than the actual temperature.

Odds of Wintry Precipitation

The constant intrusion of Arctic air will naturally raise the chances of snow and ice. Any moisture that forms in the zone of the frigid air will create dangerous wintry impacts, particularly in the overnight hours when untreated wet areas turn to ice. The fast-moving nature of these waves of cold air will work to mitigate the odds of a major snow event.

The best shot of a winter storm coming together is likely to be the end of next week. An Alberta clipper expected to dive down from Canada may slow down enough to bring in extra moisture when it reaches the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast.

In addition, forecasters are eyeing the possibility of an icy mix forming around the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and the Appalachians by next weekend. This will be a development that forecasters will be monitoring closely throughout next week.

Looking ahead to Christmas week, a strengthening polar vortex is forecast to keep most of the coldest air locked in Canada and to the north.  While it is still too early to count on, forecasters are hopeful that the frigid pattern will ease slightly in time for the holidays. After Mother Nature wreaked so much havoc for travelers during Thanksgiving week, a calmer Christmas will be much appreciated for those traveling away from home for the holidays in the central and eastern U.S.

However, the strengthening of La Niña conditions by the end of December could mean a wet and snowy pattern for the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. Some of the storms could creep as far south as Southern California.