A An air mass from the North Pole A started Sharp decline in central and eastern United StatesWith a cold capable of breaking historical records and changing the routine of millions of residents. Meteorologists did not expect a single episode to occur Three revolutions in a rowled by A Displaced polar vortex This will keep much of the North American country under extreme temperatures and threats of snow and ice during the first half of December.
Initial advance of polar air It has already caused sudden declines in several cities in the Midwest. in yeahMore than ten sites were bypassed Minimal markup dating back to the 1990s.
For example, Waterloo fell to -15 °F (-26 °C), a value that far exceeded the previous low of -7 °F (-22 °C). Experts appreciate this These loops will not be isolatedBut it is part of a more persistent pattern that will intensify in the coming days.
during Friday dawnhe North Central Atlantic and much of New England They felt Effect of freezing air. In New York City, the temperature ranged around 20°F (-6°C), while parts of the region, such as Albany, recorded a value of only 1°F (-17°C).
The National Weather Service forecast provided an overview of expected maximum temperatures:
As for the cold, it will spread strongly towards the southern latitudes, as the polar vortex pushes air masses from the north.
This phenomenon responds to displacement Polar vortex,system Low pressure and cold air Which rotates regularly around the polar regions. The term “vortex” refers to… Counterclockwise rotation keeps cool air focusedalthough during the boreal winter these masses usually expand and spread towards mid-latitudes.
According to the National Meteorological Authority’s clarification, its behavior is preferable Currents of Arctic origin move south By following the flow of the jet stream, which causes intense turbulence like the one discovered this week.
Meteorologists Accuweather They agreed that this disruption would allow access Three revolutions in a row. This was stated by Rene Duff, a specialist in the entity The weekend will allow us to observe “some of the coldest air of the season” While Paul Pastelok, who is responsible for long-range forecasts, warned against this “This outbreak will be the first of three.”.
According to Pastelok, The second episode will be released next week and the third in the middle of the monthWhich predicts a persistent cold scenario and increased demand for energy in large areas of the country.
Guides the location of the eddy over Hudson Bay, Canada Multiple rounds of polar air into the United States. The impact will be particularly noticeable in sectors that have already experienced bad weather in previous days and which could now once again face snow, severe storms and dangerously low temperatures.
Here are the areas most at risk according to AccuWeather reports:
Interaction between polar air and a system coming from the south It will determine the amount of snow and the mix of ice and rain in the eastern statesConditions will vary depending on the development of the storm. The possibility of accumulation depends on the path of the systemWhich can leave streaks of snow or just liquid precipitation.