Get ready for a series of Arctic squalls of maximum winter weather triggered by a polar vortex. The attack subsequently begins this weekend and can entail physical and financial risks. The biggest impacts of the cruel weather will likely be widespread from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and to the Florida Peninsula and the Gulf States.
The first wave of winter weather could begin as you read this. A combination of snow and freezing rain is anticipated to occur across parts of the Midwest and New England. Additionally, a more severe storm is anticipated sometime between January sixth and 14th.
Adding to the storm’s impacts is a sea wind effect that is anticipated to develop on Saturday. Consequently, areas downwind of the Great Lakes from Elkhart, IN. In New England we’re expected to see 6 to 12 inches of snow over the weekend.
“Freezing temperatures are possible as far south as the Gulf Coast and much of the Florida Peninsula,” the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center reports. “Effects on highly sensitive citrus fruits are possible.”
Cold threat level
A series of icy waves will begin this weekend, coming one after one other and lasting many of the month. Each subsequent wave is anticipated to be colder than the previous one.
Parts of the country are under a winter storm Clocks or notices. Evidence suggests conditions could also be dangerous. A watch predicts that severe conditions are possible, however the time and placement aren’t certain.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the northern Rockies, northern Plains and Cascades today (Friday). Moderate to heavy snowfall and gusty winds are expected in these areas.
A swath of land from Kansas to eastern Kentucky was under a storm watch on the time of this writing. A heavy mixture of sleet and freezing rain is anticipated to cover this area over the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to be well below freezing across the Midwest. Even Florida can experience temperatures below freezing.
Before this round of the polar vortex ends, 30 or more states will likely be affected.
How a polar vortex works
A polar vortex is an area of low pressure that exists roughly 10 to 30 miles above the North and South Poles. Strong winds hold the vortex in place. However, as these winds weaken, portions of the vortex may break off and move south, causing extreme cold along the best way.
The most up-to-date polar vortex occurred within the winter of 2013/14. This yr’s polar vortex dropped temperatures to record lows in lots of areas. Additionally, there was significant disruption to businesses, schools and transportation. That led to 1 Loss of $4 billion to the US economy.
Here’s the way to prepare
Although the intense weather resulting from a polar vortex will be economically devastating and even life-threatening, there are steps you may take to be prepared and secure.
The NWS created one Winter preparation checklist Checklist. Some of their recommendations include:
- Stock up with:
- canned food
- Bottled water
- Bread
- Crackers, nuts, fruit bars and other energy-dense foods.
- Food that doesn’t require electrical appliances to arrange.
- A primary aid kit
- Flashlights with additional batteries
- A conveyable radio with extra batteries
- Disposable tableware and utensils
Financial impact
When you’re thinking that of severe winter storms, visions of snow-covered roads and highways may come to mind. Furthermore, such scenes make nice greeting cards, however the financial implications are anything but pretty.
Winter storms like those forecast for this month often lead to flight cancellations, public transportation disruptions and delays within the delivery of products, impacting supply chains. Additionally, schools and plenty of local businesses are closed during such storms. All of this may, in turn, result in reduced productivity and lack of profits and income.
In addition to lost sales, a polar explosion also increases certain costs.
Extreme cold results in increased energy consumption as people turn up their thermostats. This causes the costs for electricity and natural gas to rise. If falling temperatures drive up energy consumption enough, power grids can develop into overloaded. As a result, power outages may occur. For this reason, repairing the ability system increases the price of a polar vortex.
Further financial losses could arise from damage to public buildings and infrastructure equivalent to roads and bridges.
Cold, hard facts
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States has experienced 400 weather and climate disasters since 1980. The cost of every of those disasters was over $1 billion and the overall for all of them combined is over $2.785 trillion. The death toll was 16,768.
The yr with essentially the most weather/climate events with damages exceeding $1 billion was 2023. That yr, there have been 28 disasters with damages exceeding $1 billion each. The total damage amounted to 95.1 billion – the tenth highest annual total. As a result, 492 people died.
Check the forecast
A weather system can change at any time. Therefore, you must check frequently to see if the forecast for snow and ice has increased or if the direction of this storm has shifted.
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