Historic Artic Cold Plunges Much of Nation into The Deep Freeze

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Category: Earth, Air, Space Science

Published on Wednesday, 30 January 2019 08:00

Written by Janet Walker

The Polar Vortex, that upper atmosphere deep cold that usually sits in the Antarctica region, is dropping in for a visit and will bring with it stunningly cold temperatures and wind chills unlike any seen in twenty years.

It is the second day of record cold for residents in the Dakotas and Minnesota, as the deep freeze artic blast plunged deep into the heartland reaching as far as Atlanta, Georgia, where Superbowl prognosticators are predicting record cold temperatures for Sunday's matchup between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.

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Even President Trump commented on the bone chilly temperatures, "In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People can't last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Warming? Please come back fast, we need you!"

State of Emergencies are leading the arctic blast with Governors and Mayors of every major city in the path of these plummeting frigid temperatures, which are the coldest in two decades, accompanied by bitter biting wind chill making temperatures feel, in some places, up to 40 degrees colder.

The United States Postal services, whose motto includes "neither rain, nor heat nor gloom of night," has decided for the safety of its carriers to suspend Postal delivery in several states including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and part of Kansas, Missouri, Montana and Nebraska.

Headlines in many midwestern cities are reading "The Mid West Is Colder Than Mars." The bitter, needle piercing, cold in parts of Minnesota where wind chills make the temperatures feel minus 70 degrees and the twin cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul with negative 50 wind chills could very well be colder than Mars. And like Astronauts, humans facing the deep freeze a cold suit covering every area of the body is necessary if even the shortest outdoor travel is planned.

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"Extremely cold air comes every winter in at least part of the country and affect millions of people across the United States. The arctic air,  together with brisk winds, can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values. People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite in a matter of minutes. Areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the extremities, such as hands and feet. Hypothermia is another threat during extreme cold. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce," stated The National Weather Service.

Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emmanuel has indicated that while the city is open, schools are closed, transportations is up and running with fire lamps keeping train tracks warm, the dangerous cold warnings are in effect over the next 48 hours. By Friday residents in the Windy City can expect a balmy 21 degrees with sun and clouds. The warm up doesn't stop with Saturday temperatures in the 40's.

Very few parts of the country escape this artic blast with a forceful jet stream about 212million people of 72% of the nation's population will feel some effect with most in the pathway expected to see freezing temperatures.

Traditionally cold regions, the Midwest, Great Lakes region, from Chicago to Cleveland to New York State will see dropping temperatures accompanied by bone chilling and dangerous cold.

Accumulated snow, with the extreme wind will produce white out conditions with near zero visibility, motorists should travel with extreme caution.

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The Tri-State region effecting nearly 20million people, in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut can expect a deep plunge in temperatures this evening remaining until Thursday. Will wind chills making it feel minus 30 to minus 40 below zero. Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution as layers of black ice is expected to form on streets, sidewalks and exposed stairs and stairwells.

The recent death of a young mother who fell carrying a stroller down the Subway stairs, something she had probably done without thought many times before, has brought the lack of maintenance of the New York City's commuter transportation system.

Exercise extreme care when walking down subway steps, watch for ice, grip hand rails if possible and for those who happen on anyone attempting to carrying a stroller down the steps, stop and help. The train will arrive at the same time if you're waiting on the platform or if you stop and help.

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Major cities have opened warming stations and heat shelters. New York city have announced residents who may lose heat are to call 311. In Chicago, landlords will face criminal charges if tenants are without heat and hot water.

The Polar Vortex Deep freeze, the first real grip of winter's cold this season will be over by the weekend so for the more than one million heading to Atlanta to watch the Patriots take on the Rams, the week of weather chaos will be over with Sunday's game expected to be warm, with temps in the 60's, and an 57% chance of rain.

Map graphics courtesy of the The Weather Channel and used with permission.