A brutal cold snap affecting much of the eastern United States is expected to intensify, with origins traced back to Siberia. The relationship with the polar vortex suggests possible future weather variability, while predictions for a white Christmas remain uncertain. The western U.S. is likely to experience warmer conditions throughout December, leading to contrasting winter experiences across the nation.
The ongoing frigid weather affecting the eastern portion of the United States is projected to continue intensifying, particularly by midweek, as forewarned by meteorologists. Notably, AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok indicates that another bitterly cold air mass is expected, particularly impacting the upper Midwest through to the Southeast. This significant chill has marked the beginning of meteorological winter this December as one of the coldest in recent years.
Meteorological experts trace the source of this cold snap to Siberian origins, facilitated by a phenomenon called “cross polar flow” that transports cold air across the Arctic and into Canada before reaching the eastern United States. Judah Cohen, a meteorologist with Atmospheric and Environmental Research, elucidates that the air remains particularly cold throughout its journey to the U.S. Scott Kleebauer of the Weather Prediction Center corroborated that such Siberian cold outbreaks are traditionally associated with the country’s coldest winters.
The relationship between this cold spell and the polar vortex is a topic of interest. According to Cohen, the polar vortex appears to be elongated, which enables cross polar flow, impacting both the stratosphere and lower atmospheric jet streams. Such conditions may lead to a potential white Christmas, albeit unpredictably. Cohen expresses a cautious optimism about some northeastern cities seeing snowfall during the holiday season, indicating a shift to colder and snowier weather as December progresses.
Concerns linger over whether this current Arctic blast foretells the remainder of winter. Cohen acknowledges the uncertainty but encourages cautious optimism. Typically, a stretched polar vortex might lead to alternating periods of cold and milder weather, with historical precedence indicating that a severely cold winter could occur if similar conditions persist.
In contrast to the chill experienced in the eastern states, the western U.S. is expected to experience above-average temperatures, influenced by the existing jet stream patterns. Weather.com forecasts that regions such as the Desert Southwest and the Southern Plains will likely remain warmer through December.
Authorities predict that despite the current cold wave enveloping the east, a milder winter could still unfold across the eastern and southern regions.
In summary, while a significant cold snap is currently impacting the eastern U.S., its origins trace back to Siberia. The interaction with the polar vortex introduces variability into future winter weather, suggesting potential alternations of cold and milder conditions. Meanwhile, western regions are likely to enjoy warmer temperatures, positioning an intriguing winter season ahead for the nation.
This article addresses the ongoing cold snap affecting the eastern United States, focusing on its origins, implications, and forecasts for the winter season. It includes insights from meteorologists who explain the polar vortex’s connection to the current weather patterns and discuss potential changes as winter progresses. The necessity of understanding these conditions is paramount for anticipating weather patterns, particularly in regard to significant events such as Christmas snow expectations and broader seasonal predictions.
The current brutal cold snap hitting the eastern U.S. can be traced back to Siberian origins, exacerbated by polar vortex dynamics. While predictions for a white Christmas remain hopeful, the overall winter forecast appears to suggest variability endured by alternating conditions. In contrast, the western U.S. may continue to experience warmer weather throughout the month. Thus, the winter of 2023 could emerge as one of notable contrasts across different regions.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
