Weak Polar Vortex to Bring More Cold and Snow for the Northeast, the Midwest and the Southeast in February ...

A very active polar vortex this season has produced cold weather over the eastern half of the country. A coastal storm that would have been a blizzard for the Northeast will pass out to sea with no major effects later today and Sunday. Strong warming is occurring over the north Atlantic and also from the Pacific. Alaska and the western third of the country is warmer than normal.  This usually leads to cold weather in the East. 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 Winter Storm This Weekend from the Southern Plains to the Northeast...A Foot of Snow and Sleet for the NYC Metro Area...

All week the weather forecast models have been consistently indicating that an upper low over the Southwest US will produce a strong influx of moisture from the Pacific across the Southern Plains and the Deep South. This moisture will overrun Arctic air that has spread down into the Midwest. A large area 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. The snow will mix with sleet and fall heavily at times in the NYC metro area.  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.