An unprecedented Arctic cold snap is set to affect the US and parts of Europe. Meteorologists report this will be the 10th polar vortex invasion this winter, far surpassing the typical two or three instances. Arctic air is forecast to hit the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Saturday and will persist through next week. Tuesday's average low in the Lower 48 states is estimated at 16.6°F, plunging to 14°F on Wednesday.
Judah Cohen, from Atmospheric and Environmental Research, notes the polar vortex's unusual stretching. Ryan Maue, a meteorologist and former NOAA chief scientist, said: "Everything, all the stars align, all the wind directions in the atmosphere are dragging the cold polar air out of the Canadian Arctic. It's the depths of winter. Everything signals extreme biting, winter cold." He highlights severe temperatures and windchills dropping to 20°F or below in most states. Zack Taylor from NOAA's Weather Prediction Center points to temperatures 35°F below normal in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.
Laura Ciasto of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicates meteorologists are keen to study frequent polar vortex stretching, while Denmark's Martin Stendel mentions possible climate change effects on jet stream patterns. A Greenland high-pressure area is contributing to the current cold by altering the jet stream. Despite these cold events, global temperatures are on a warming trend, having hit monthly heat records recently. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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