Arctic Air Outbreaks on Tap for Over 250 Million Americans

Several outbreaks of Arctic air are going to send the temperatures plunging across a large part of the U.S. through the middle of January. Here is a look at this upcoming frigid forecast.

At Least Three Arctic Air Outbreaks Expected for Much of the U.S. in Days Ahead

Over 250 million Americans will be under the gun for bitterly cold temperatures set to overtake the central and eastern U.S. for the next few weeks. Forecasters are warning that the temperatures could be some of the coldest readings in years, coming in several rounds. The cold temperatures will be paired with snow and ice at times.

Each outbreak of the Arctic air will send the cold temperatures farther to the south, reaching areas not accustomed to this type of winter weather. Freeze-related damage to crops and infrastructure is possible in the southern tier of the country while energy demands will also soar.

The first round of Arctic air is forecast to begin to infiltrate the northern U.S. starting the end of this week. While each round of frigid temperatures may not set any records on their own, the compounding impacts of the blasts of Arctic air will add up over time. Over 40 states across the central and eastern U.S. are forecast to see the effects of this weather pattern. The end result is that this may deliver the coldest January since the year 2011 for the country.

The forecast models are blaming the lingering neutral sea surface readings across the tropical Pacific as well as warm waters in the northern part of the Pacific for the impending cold weather. A traffic jam in the upper levels of the atmosphere will further support the development of Arctic air filtering down across the bulk of the country located to the east of the Rocky Mountains. The southward dip in the jet stream will allow the cold air to the north to creep farther and farther to the south.

The bitterly cold readings will be exacerbated with the forecast of multiple storm systems capable of delivering widespread snow and ice from the Great Plains to the Midwest and over to the East Coast. Some parts of the Deep South may also see some of the wintry precipitation.

Timing of the Arctic Blasts

The latest forecast models indicate that there are at least three significant intrusions of Arctic air that will reach the South. The first round is set to reach the U.S. on January 3 and 4 while the second blast will move in on January 7 and 8. The last round is forecast to hit some time around January 11 and 12.

More rounds of Arctic air are on the horizon after the first three, however, the southern U.S. will likely dodge this cold weather. Instead, the Arctic air will remain centered more over the Midwest and the Northeast.

Those in the South should be aware of the risks of the unseasonably cold temperatures. Many homes in this region are not built with the insulation necessary to protect pipes from temperatures of this degree. Heat pump systems may also experience challenges to keep working at optimal levels. Additionally, the rapid increase in energy demands could trigger rolling blackouts.

Agricultural interests in the Gulf Coast region and down into central and northern portions of Florida will also want to keep a close eye on the mercury. Crops that are sensitive to cold weather may be at risk of experiencing damage. Forecasters believe that the areas most likely to see crop damage include central and northern parts of Florida, the southern fringe of Louisiana, and some areas of central Texas.

Because a good majority of the Great Lakes are still not covered in ice, the exposed water will work to raise the temperatures of the Arctic air as it moves across the bodies of water. However, the intrusion of cold air over time will create more ice cover, mitigating the natural warming effects of these lakes. This means that the Northeast will then be in the bullseye for the freezing temperatures.

The extreme cold air moving over the Great Lakes will result in a high chance of significant lake-effect snow at times. The periods of snow will ebb and flow over the next few weeks with some communities like picking up snowfall measured in feet.

High Winds Will Accompany the Cold Weather

The influx of Arctic air will pair with times of frigid winds. The merger of the cold air, windy conditions, and wintry precipitation will send the real feel readings plunging to below zero across the northern Plains, the Great Lakes, and down into the middle portions of the middle Mississippi and Ohio valleys. The subzero real feel readings are forecast to eventually hit the Appalachians and down into the Gulf Coast.

It is still too early to tell with precision what areas will pick up snow and ice out of the waves of moisture. Each storm system will vary in strength and direction. However, forecasters are relatively certain that the storms will have the capabilities of causing major travel disruptions and school closures. This is particularly true for the South, a part of the country not equipped to deal with winter storms and its associated slippery roads.

You will want to stay tuned as each of these blasts of Arctic air and wintry precipitation moves through the U.S.

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