Polar Vortex Unusually Active and Weak This Winter...More Cold for the Northeast the Next Two Weeks...

The polar vortex has been very active this winter unlike the past couple of winters where it was quite strong and concentric most of the time.  Strong warming is occurring over the north Atlantic and also from the Pacific. The weakness of the polar vortex allows for cold air to move into the US resulting in prolonged cold. Currently in New York City, we are in the longest cold snap with below freezing temperatures since 2017-2018. The city currently has large piles of frozen snow that is difficult to remove since it is not melting. The forecast for the next 8 to 14 days shows continued cold in the Northeast with below normal precipitation.  There is a chance for snow for the Northeast in the next week to 10 days.  The North Atlantic Oscillation and the Arctic Oscillation are both negative which results in cold air for the Northeast with upper level troughing in the jet stream. Stay warm. 

George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist for Wright Weather Consulting, LLC. Visit our website at WrightWeather.com. Follow George Wright on Twitter @gwweather.

Major Ice Storm for the Deep South and Heavy Snow and Sleet for the Northeast and the NYC Metro this Weekend...

This weekend, a strong flow of moisture from the Pacific across the Southern Plains and the Deep South will overrun Arctic Air that has spread down into the Midwest. A prolonged period of snow, sleet and freezing rain will develop across Texas and the southern Plains early on Saturday and spread to the Southeast and then to the Northeast early Sunday morning. Low pressure will track off the East Coast and pass approximately 100 miles southeast of Long Island late in the day on Sunday. The snow will mix with sleet and will fall heavily at times in the NYC metro area on Sunday.  There is the potential for a foot or more of snow for the city which will be the heaviest accumulation since the January 28-29, 2022 winter storm.  Arctic air has produced frigid conditions tonight that will continue from the upper Midwest to northern New England with lows -20F to -30F and wind chills down to -50 to -60F. The temperature in New York City will be below freezing at least through next weekend.  

George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist for Wright Weather Consulting, LLC. Visit our website at WrightWeather.com. Follow George Wright on Twitter @gwweather.