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Meteorologists Blame a Stretched Polar Vortex, Moisture, Lack of Sea Ice for Dangerous Winter Blast
A stretched polar vortex is causing subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and ice across much of the U.S., threatening at least 250 million people with prolonged hazardous winter weather.
- On Jan. 21, 2026, forecasters said a stretched polar vortex is driving Arctic air and a major winter storm from New Mexico to New England, threatening over 250 million people.
- A warmer Arctic, record-low Arctic sea ice and heavy Siberian snowfall have energized waves that elongate the polar vortex and shift the jet stream, pushing Arctic air south.
- The National Weather Service's wind‑chill guidance and charts show temperatures could drop to minus 25 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit in the North and Midwest while the Lower 48 states average lows around 11 or 12 degrees on Saturday through Monday.
- NWS forecasters say most areas east of the Rockies will face bitter cold, snow or ice, with frigid weather likely persisting through late January into early February.
- Climate feedbacks and mid‑latitude influences mean Arctic outbreaks will persist despite Arctic warming, with NOAA models showing recent circular vortex conditions will briefly relax before more Arctic blasts.
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What is the polar vortex? Why it matters as snow and Arctic cold threaten the Northeast
As snow and bitter cold threaten parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, meteorologists are closely watching the polar vortex. Here’s what it is, how it works and why it can play a role in major winter weather events.
·Washington, United States
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Parts of Lower 48 colder than Alaska this week as polar vortex set to grip nation with weeks of arctic air
Dangerous life-threatening cold has spread over much of the Northern Plains, Midwest and parts of the Northeast, with another surge of arctic air expected to drop wind chill temperatures close to -40 degrees later this week — leaving some places in the Lower 48 colder than Alaska.WHAT IS THE POLAR VORTEX?Part of the polar vortex, which contains some of the coldest air on the planet and is usually above the North Pole, has shifted south over much…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 40%
C 60%
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