Polar vortex threatening Great Plains with record-low temperatures
The polar vortex is stretching southwards for the 10th time this season threatening to bring record-breaking cold temperatures across the United States through the next week.
2-m temperature anomaly graphic for February 19, 2025. Image credit: GFS, Tropical Tidbits
A significant cold outbreak is expected as Arctic air spreads over the Great Plains from Saturday, February 15, to Wednesday, February 19.
During this period, daytime high temperatures in the Central Plains will range from -17.2 to -7.2 °C (1 – 19 °F), potentially tying or breaking previous records.
The cold outbreak is expected to first impact the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Saturday before persisting throughout the following week. The cold will likely concentrate east of the Rockies, with only the far western U.S. and central and southern Florida avoiding the temperature drop.
The Lower 48 states could experience average low temperatures of -8.6 °C (16.6 °F), dropping further to -10 °C (14 °F) on Wednesday, February 19.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), 89% of the United States will experience temperatures below freezing, while 27% of the Lower 48 states will be below -18 °C (0 °F).
This will be the 10th occurrence this winter of the polar vortex stretching southward, allowing Arctic air to spill into lower latitudes, according to Judah Cohen, seasonal forecast director at Atmospheric and Environmental Research. Typically, this phenomenon occurs two or three times per winter, he added.
Strong winds could exacerbate the cold. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), every U.S. state except Hawaii, California, and Florida is expected to experience wind chills of -6.7 °C (20 °F) or lower at some point next week.
References:
1 Very cold weather is coming. US about to get 10th and chilliest polar vortex this winter – AP – Friday, February 14, 2025
2 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS -Friday, February 14, 2025
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