Part 1/7:
Colder Weather Ahead: A Deep Dive into Winter Forecasts
As we move into January, the United States is set to experience a significant drop in temperatures, particularly influenced by a splintering polar vortex. This phenomenon, where a portion of cold air is released from the North Pole, is expected to push southward, leading to much colder air sweeping across the lower 48 states.
While this cold snap isn't a newly recognized meteorological feature, its effects can certainly shape weather patterns considerably. The polar vortex consists of a circulating body of cold air that, when weakened, can allow those frigid temperatures to invade areas typically not accustomed to such climate extremes.