In contrast to the predominantly calm and mild weather experienced across much of the United States in December, January has ushered in a turbulent and cold climate, signaling the onset of a period of unpredictable and hazardous conditions. Mother Nature seems intent on making up for the earlier mild weather with a series of storms and frigid temperatures that are set to unfold in the coming weeks.
The recent deadly storm sweeping across the entire eastern U.S. is just the precursor to a string of weather events anticipated over the next week. Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on a potential “bomb cyclone” blizzard expected to impact the Midwest, an arctic blast fueled by the polar vortex, and the prospect of the first significant East Coast snowstorm in years.
According to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, the atmosphere is compensating for the previously mild and snowless start to the season. Tuesday’s storm alone resulted in wintry travel conditions spanning over 750,000 square miles, affecting more than 30 states with snow, ice, rain, or thunderstorms, covering an expansive area exceeding 2 million square miles. Tragically, at least three people lost their lives in the storm.
The upcoming storm, slated to traverse the Midwest, South, and East from late Thursday into Saturday, has the potential to surpass the intensity of the preceding one. It is expected to bring a second round of snow, strong winds, severe thunderstorms, and flooding rainfall, compounding the challenges posed by Tuesday’s storm. Major Midwestern cities, including Chicago, Detroit, and Kansas City, may experience snow accumulations ranging from 1 to 2 feet, making travel extremely difficult.
The Storm Prediction Center is cautioning about the likelihood of severe thunderstorms across the South and Southeast, accompanied by risks of severe hail, wind, and tornadoes. Additionally, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions can expect more strong winds and flooding rain by Friday and into Saturday.
Meteorologist Ryan Maue has raised the possibility of the next storm rapidly intensifying into a rare overland “bomb cyclone,” likening it to a winter hurricane in terms of intensity.
The return of the polar vortex is contributing to the anticipated plunge in temperatures across the central and eastern U.S. over the next week. NOAA climate scientist Amy Butler noted the stratospheric polar vortex stretching down across North America. By Monday morning, 88% of the contiguous U.S. could experience below-freezing temperatures, with the bitter cold potentially reaching the Gulf Coast and bringing freezing conditions to Texas.
Dangerously low wind chill temperatures are expected across much of the country, prompting the National Weather Service to issue warnings. The Iowa caucuses on Monday evening are forecasted to occur in frigid conditions, with temperatures potentially close to zero degrees across the entire state.
Looking ahead, computer models are hinting at the possibility of another storm next week, raising hopes for snow-starved big cities in the mid-Atlantic like Washington and Philadelphia. Both cities have endured nearly two years without witnessing even an inch of snowfall. While there is a chance for “heavy snow across parts of the East on Jan. 16-17,” meteorologist Bob Larson emphasizes that it’s too early to make specific predictions, and the outcome might involve rain rather than snow, disappointing snow enthusiasts in those areas once again.