Temperatures will be milder across much of the United States on Thursday, but the warm-up will be short-lived as a polar vortex will drop temperatures below freezing in much of the country starting this weekend. [emphasis, links added]
Despite the wintry weather that will hit parts of the eastern United States on Thursday, temperatures will be milder across much of the country, with highs expected to be 20 degrees above average. Enjoy it while it's here, though, because it's about to get freezing cold.
How cold is it?
The high temperature in Minneapolis on Thursday is expected to be about 34 degrees. On Sunday, the maximum temperature is expected to be minus 4 degrees.
“This is the perfect time to get on a plane and go somewhere south,” said Fox Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin. “Like, really, really far south.”
The potentially life-threatening cold is caused by a disturbance in the polar vortex. Fox Forecast Center says One lobe of the polar vortex will tilt southward and move into the United States this weekend and next week.
“These types of weather systems can even bring cold air to Florida,” Merwin said. “You know, Maybe once or twice a year, we get a lot of arctic air really invading the country and making it all the way to the Gulf Coast. This is one of them. So, if you’re a snowbird and you like to escape to the South— There is no escaping this. Everyone feels it.“
By Monday, more than 300 million Americans will experience below-average temperatures.
The cold Arctic air brought by the polar vortex will plunge temperatures for millions of Americans across the United States, potentially leading to one of the coldest Inauguration Days in decades. https://t.co/4lRoyV6xmF
— Fox Weather (@foxweather) January 16, 2025
Fox Forecast Center says Temperatures will plummet to 45 degrees below average in some areas, leading to subzero temperatures in at least 20 statesfrom the plains to the Great Lakes and Northeast interior.
Forty-eight states and more than 80% of the population will see temperatures drop below freezing.
The deep cold will be felt as far away as the Deep South, with only South Florida escaping the Arctic blast's icy grip.
The Fox Forecast Center said that while temperatures are likely to moderate by the middle of next week, The overall pattern is still expected to favor more brutal cold air in the 48 states before the end of January.
Monthly temperatures are already 5-10 degrees below averagethe Fox Forecast Center said That will all but guarantee that many places in the eastern United States will have their coldest January in years.
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