Life-threatening cold grips U.S. as polar vortex descends

By kevinhughes // 2025-01-23

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A polar vortex is pushing frigid Siberian air across the U.S., bringing the coldest air mass of the season. Temperatures will plunge up to 45 F below average, affecting over 300 million Americans from the Plains to the Northeast and even the Deep South.
Wind chills could reach -50 F, posing severe risks of hypothermia, frostbite and power grid strain. Frostbite can occur in as little as 15 minutes on exposed skin, and hypothermia symptoms include shivering, confusion and loss of consciousness.
The coldest temperatures will hit the Rockies, northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with wind chills as low as -30 F. Southern states will also see temperatures 10–30°F below average, with snow and ice creating hazardous conditions in regions unaccustomed to winter weather.
Areas recovering from natural disasters, such as western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, face heightened dangers. Cities like Asheville and Atlanta will experience rare sub-freezing temperatures, prompting emergency responses like New York City's "Code Blue" to protect vulnerable residents.
Americans are urged to stay indoors, prepare emergency kits and check on neighbors as the Arctic blast underscores the importance of readiness for extreme weather.

A historic and life-threatening cold snap is set to engulf much of the United States as a polar vortex pushes frigid Siberian air across the Lower 48. Beginning Friday, Jan. 17, and lasting through Jan. 24, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that this will be the coldest air mass of the season, with temperatures plunging up to 45 degrees below average in some areas. At least 20 states, stretching from the Plains to the Great Lakes and the interior Northeast, will experience below-zero temperatures, while even the Deep South will feel the icy grip of this Arctic outbreak. The cold is so severe that President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, was moved indoors for the first time in 40 years. With wind chills potentially reaching -50 F, millions of Americans are being urged to prepare for dangerous conditions, including hypothermia, frostbite and power grid strain. The polar vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air that typically swirls around the North Pole, is responsible for this unprecedented cold. When the vortex weakens or stretches, it can push frigid air southward into the U.S. and Canada. (Related: Polar vortex descends on the U.S., threatening to make January the coldest month in over a decade.) This particular outbreak is expected to be one of the most far-reaching in recent memory, affecting more than 300 million Americans. "This would be one of the coldest outbreaks certainly of the past 10 years, 15 years," said Judah Cohen, a winter weather expert at Atmospheric Environmental Research. "It's pulling air out of Siberia. And, you know, that's consistent with these stretches because when the polar vortex stretches, the flow starts in Siberia and ends in the United States." The coldest temperatures will hit the Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest, where wind chills could plummet to -30 F or lower from Saturday, Jan. 18, through Tuesday, Jan. 21. Even states along the Gulf Coast and southern border will see temperatures drop 10 to 30 degrees below average. Only South Florida will escape the freeze. "If you're a snowbird, you like to escape down to the South – there's no escaping this. Everyone will feel it," said FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin.

Life-threatening risks and widespread impacts

The NWS has issued dire warnings about the risks posed by this cold snap. Hypothermia and frostbite are major concerns, especially for those spending extended time outdoors. Frostbite can occur in as little as 15 minutes on exposed skin, while hypothermia symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, confusion and loss of consciousness. Infants are particularly vulnerable, with signs including bright red, cold skin and low energy. "This poses a great risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin. Have a cold weather survival kit if traveling," the NWS cautioned. The cold will also strain infrastructure, increasing the likelihood of frozen and burst pipes and placing power grids under significant pressure as people crank up their heating. Snow and icy roads will compound the dangers, particularly in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, where a wintery mix is expected Sunday. Southern states could also see snow and ice early next week, creating hazardous conditions for regions unaccustomed to such weather. "That's something that we are keeping a close eye on, given the sensitivities of those not accustomed to winter weather and not used to those kind of situations," said NWS meteorologist Zack Taylor. The cold will hit hardest in areas still recovering from natural disasters. In western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, many residents remain without proper shelter after Hurricane Helene devastated the region. "Looking at the wind chill, that adds a whole other layer to this," Merwin said. "I mean, it will feel like negative 50 degrees in some spots across America come Monday morning." Cities like Asheville, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, are expected to see temperatures in the teens, a rarity for these regions. In New York City, officials have declared a "Code Blue" to protect vulnerable populations. "Outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters," NYC Emergency Management stated on X. Similar measures are being taken across the country as communities brace for the cold. For now, however, the focus remains on survival. As temperatures plummet and wind chills reach life-threatening lows, Americans are being urged to stay indoors, prepare emergency kits, and check on vulnerable neighbors. With no immediate relief in sight, this Arctic blast serves as a stark reminder of nature's power—and the importance of being prepared. Watch this clip that explains what a polar vortex is. This video is from the Alex Hammer channel on Brighteon.com.

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Life-threatening risks and widespread impacts

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