Polar Vortex Winter Storm Warning: Midwest Facing Another Severe Cold Front Starting Sunday
The weather has relatively gotten better lately, gradually melting out the snow that has piled over the past few weeks with its drizzling rain and wind lightly blowing here and there. As we foolishly hope for spring's awakening, the forecasters say otherwise: grueling snow shoveling is not over yet, and another cold front is on its way to devour us.
The wintry storm is expected to hit the Midwest this weekend, bringing its furious winds and extremely bitter temperatures way below normal. "Temperatures 20ºF below normal will likely invade the Upper Midwest on Sunday, and gradually spread southeastwards during the week," said Dr. Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground. "The peak cold is predicted to occur late next week, with temperatures 20-35ºF below normal covering much of the eastern 2/3 of the country."
After shaking up the Midwest, a terrifying swathe of cold temperatures staying plummeted at below freezing will stretch to the South and East at the start of next week, with Embarrass, Minnesota enduring lows of -29ºF next Friday.
In addition to a higher than average amount of rain expected, the forecasters predict that the best chance of snow is believed to be between Feb. 26 and March 3, as temperatures on the East Coast remain at least 15 degrees below normal.
The recently warmer climes, with temperatures reaching up to low 50s, are to face with a new problem: dangerous flash flooding. "Much of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana are covered by snows of 10 to 30 inches that if melted, would be equivalent to 2 to 6 inches of rain," said Dr. Masters.
New York City is also dealing with the consequences of warming temperature, as the streets are closed due to falling sheets of ice from buildings, posing risks for pedestrians below.
This season's ice storms and incessant snow have cost numerous traffic-related deaths, as well as led to the highest number of flight cancellations in more than 25 years -- U.S. airlines have cancelled more than 75,000 domestic flights since Dec. 1, including approximately 14,000 only last week.
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