Polar Vortex Brings Arctic Chill To Much Of US
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A severe winter storm blanketed the Central and Eastern US with snow and ice. The intense system triggered a state of emergency across several states, from Kansas and Missouri to New Jersey. The Midwest was hit the hardest.
On January 5, 2025, Kansas City International Airport recorded 11 inches (27.9 cm) of snow. This is the fourth-largest single-day snowfall in the state’s history since records began in 1888. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, Ohio, saw a record-breaking snowfall of 8.4 inches (21.3 cm) surpassing the previous record of 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) set in 1977.
The heart of the country bore the brunt of the storm. However, the frigid weather is being felt along the entire eastern coast, reaching as far south as Florida. Over the next few days, wind chills in northern Florida are expected to drive temperatures as low as 20°F (-6.6°C).
The extreme cold is linked to the polar vortex — a massive, rotating pocket of frigid air around the North and South Poles. It spins counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The vortex is typically strongest in winter and usually remains near the poles. However, when it weakens or becomes unbalanced, pockets of frigid air escape, bringing extreme cold weather to surrounding areas.
Fortunately, the severe weather will not last too long. Experts predict the temperatures to rise by mid-January. If you are among the millions affected, bundle up and stay indoors as much as possible. With severe wind chills, frostbite can occur within minutes on exposed skin!
Resources: AlJazeera.com, quadcities.com, CNN.com, CBSnews.com
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43 Comments
mathprofive29 daysI got only 1 inch of snow though
fr-its-kady29 daysYeah, we live in ks and there is still so much snow! 😭- davicygeleja29 daysits -15 here lol
- mathprofive29 daysit 7 for me and thats low
iam_72auishdfas29 daysI would love to go otside, I love frost and icialclies
thiago1129 daysLucky I’ve touched snow, but I want more. Sadly I live in Florida
852128sophie29 daysThere will never be snow here in Taiwan! (I've never even seen actual snow before):(:(
kirakoala29 daysYou should come to the US, we get a lot of snow here, especially in the mountains. I live in NJ and we get a little snow but not like the mountains.
boba-books30 daysIt’s about 61 here in Nevada….. The last time we had rain was In April of 2024. The last time ie snowed (a veeeeeeeeeerrrry little bit) was February 2019.
crazychristine30 daysWait... I LIVE IN NEW JERSY!!!! So thats why it's so cold. At our school, we hadn't have outdoor recess since Dec 18!
gubeman30 daysMinnesota has only had snow once or twice this year (Talking about 2024 as well)
scratchkings12329 daysI need snow I live in mn- crazychristine30 daysWow. Same here in NJ
darkdeathmoon30 daysIts cold in east lanceing but I WANT SNOOWWW
