Get ready for a series of arctic blasts of extreme winter weather triggered by a polar vortex. Consequently, the onslaught begins this weekend and will result in physical and financial risks. The greatest impact of the harsh weather will stretch from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast and as far South as the Florida peninsula and Gulf states.
The first wave of winter weather may be occurring as you read this. It is expected to bring a mix of snow and freezing rain across parts of the Midwest and New England. In addition, a more severe storm is expected sometime between January 6 and January 14.
Adding to the storm’s impact is a lake wind effect that is expected to develop on Saturday. Consequently, areas downwind of the Great Lakes from Elkhart, IN. Through New England, we are expected to see 6 to 12 inches of snow over the weekend.
“Below freezing temperatures are possible as far south as the Gulf Coast and much of the Florida Peninsula,” reports the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center. “Impacts to highly sensitive citrus crops are possible.”
Threat Level Cold
This weekend will begin a series of frigid waves that will follow one after another and could last through most of the month. Each succeeding wave is expected to be colder than the one before.
Parts of the nation are under winter storm watches or advisories. Advisories indicate that conditions may be hazardous. A watch forecasts that severe conditions are possible, but the timing and location are not certain.
A winter weather alert has been issued for the northern Rockies, northern Plains, and Cascades for today (Friday). Moderate to heavy snow along with gusty winds is expected in those areas.
A swath of land from Kansas to Eastern Kentucky was under a storm watch as of this writing. A heavy mix of snow sleet and freezing rain is expected to cover that area over the weekend.
High temperatures are expected to be well below freezing across the Midwest. Even Florida may experience freezing temperatures.
Before this round of the polar vortex ends, 30 or more states will have been affected.
How a Polar Vortex Works
A polar vortex is a low-pressure area that exists about 10 to 30 miles above the North and South Poles. Strong winds hold the vortex in place. However, when those winds slow, parts of the vortex can break away and move south bringing extreme cold along the way.
The most recent polar vortex occurred during the winter of 2013-14. That year’s polar vortex dropped temperatures to record lows in many areas. In addition, it caused major disruptions to businesses, schools, and transportation. That led to a $4 billion loss for the U. S. Economy.
How to Prepare
Although the extreme weather resulting from a polar vortex can be economically devastating and even life-threatening, there are measures you can take to be prepared and safe.
The NWS has produced a Winter Preparedness Checklist checklist. Some of their recommendations include:
- Stocking up on:
- Canned Food
- Bottled water
- Bread
- Crackers, Nuts, Fruit Bars, and other high-energy food.
- Foods that do not require electrical appliances to prepare.
- A first-aid kit
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- A portable radio with extra batteries
- Disposable dishes and utensils
Financial Impact
Visions of snow-covered streets and highways may pop into your head when you think of major winter storms. Moreover, such scenes make for pretty greeting cards, However, the financial impact is anything but pretty.
Winter storms, such as the ones predicted for this month, often lead to flight cancellations, public transportation disruption, and delays in deliveries of goods impacting supply chains. Additionally schools and many local businesses close during such storms. All of that in turn, can result in decreased productivity and loss of profits and incomes.
In addition to lost revenue, certain costs increase as a result of a polar blast.
Extreme cold results in increased energy consumption as people turn up their thermostats. As a result, electric and natural gas prices rise. If declining temperatures push energy consumption enough – power grids can be overwhelmed. Consequently, blackouts may result. For that reason, repairing the power system adds to the cost of a polar vortex.
Other financial losses could result from damage to public buildings and infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
Cold Hard Facts
The United States has suffered 400 weather and climate disasters since 1980, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The price tag for each of those calamities was over $1 billion and the total for all combined is over $2.785 trillion. The cost of human lives was 16,768.
The year with the most weather/climate events exceeding $1 billion in damages was 2023. That year there were 28 disasters with damages exceeding $1 billion each. Combined damages were 95.1 billion – the 10th highest annual total. Consequently, 492 lives were lost.
Check The Forecast
A weather system can change at any time. Therefore, you should check periodically to see if projections for snow and ice have increased or if the path of this storm has shifted.
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