Don’t put away your winter jacket just yet. The polar vortex is expected to be affected by a sudden warming of the stratosphere, which is expected to bring sub-zero temperatures to the Northeast from this weekend through February.
A sustained influx of arctic air is increasing its impact on much of the United States after a major winter storm hit the United States in late January, sending temperatures well below average. “Further strengthening of the Arctic atmosphere is expected to cause temperatures to plummet into the single digits overnight and into this weekend,” AccuWeather meteorologist Peyton Simmers said on the website.
According to AccuWeather, the frigid temperatures plaguing the eastern half of the country won’t end soon, as major shifts in the polar vortex are expected this month.
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Sudden warming of the stratosphere affects polar vortex
Sudden stratospheric warming this week is predicted to weaken the polar vortex, triggering colder and more unstable weather patterns across the United States in the coming days.
Sudden stratospheric warming occurs every winter, when temperatures in the Arctic stratosphere rapidly increase by up to 100 degrees Celsius in a few days. As a result of the phenomenon, the polar vortex, a ring of high-altitude winds, could weaken, split or reverse, sending frigid arctic air south into North America and Europe, according to the National Weather Service.
Extremely cold weather forecast for Tohoku region
According to AccuWeather, much of the north will continue to experience cold weather. However, the first half of the week may feel a little milder than previous weeks, with the exception of coastal areas with mid-Atlantic and New England winds on Monday. It feels cool because of the wind.
An arctic front is expected to move into the Great Lakes and Northeast later this week, bringing more snow and subzero temperatures.
Sources: AccuWeather.com, NOAA, National Weather Service, Space.com, Severe Weather Europe, USA TODAY research.
