Upcoming Arctic blasts to deliver coldest air so far this winter to central, eastern US
Any hopes of a lasting thaw is weeks away as Arctic blast after Arctic blast will keep pouring southward from northern Canada, leading to substantial energy demands in the central and eastern United States.
Hopes of a widespread, long-lasting January thaw are diminishing, as the Arctic express is likely to keep the foot on the throttle for most of the remainder of the month in the Midwest and Northeast, AccuWeather meteorologists say.
"Multiple waves of Arctic air continue to gather over northern Canada with eyes for the central and eastern United States in the days and weeks ahead," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.
The pattern this week will not be conducive for major storms but will trigger bands of heavy lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes, along with some breakaway snow squalls that can prowl the Midwest and Northeast.
The cold waves will send a considerable chill into the Southeast and part of the South Central states with the risk of bursting pipes and an added strain on heating budgets.
"The first third of January or so has been substantially colder than recent years," AccuWeather Senior Long-Range Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said.
The same stretch of days last January brought temperatures of 11, 6 and 3.3 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average for Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City, respectively. For the same period and locations this month, temperatures are 4, 3.6 and 2.9 F below the historical average or a difference of 6-16 degrees lower.
"Still, the colder conditions this January pale in comparison to January 2018 when the actual departures were 10-16 degrees below the actual historical average," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "Brr!"
The frigid air and expanding ice on the lakes across the northern part of the country will be a boost for ice fishing, which has been difficult in recent years.
While the frigid air is great for ski resorts to crank out snow to make up for winter storm shortcomings, the cold conditions have been and will continue to be painful for those waiting at bus stops and train platforms, as well as delivery workers.
Sue McNatt, of Needham, Mass., skis laps amid snow-making machines on a cross-country course in Weston, Massachusetts, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
"The Arctic air coming through Jan. 15th can be the coldest of the winter so far," Anderson said. "This batch of Arctic air will have a vast zone for fresh snow cover to work with and a direct shot into the eastern third of the U.S."
Harshly cold conditions are in store for the Central and Eastern states, especially for the north-central region where AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will plunge well below zero.
The fresh snow over the interior South Central and Southeast states, the Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast will be good for winter sports activities from sledding to cross-country skiing.
Storms may return
AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate a particularly stormy stretch from Jan. 18-20.
There will be a brief pause in the Arctic outbreaks during that time, opening a pathway for one or more significant storms to move up from the South Central states or the Gulf and either track toward the Great Lakes or the coastal Northeast, Pastelok said. The track of the storm(s) will determine where the bands of rain versus snow occur and where the next cold blast will be directed shortly after.
And yet another Arctic blast
An even colder blast of air, with origins in Siberia will plunge southward across the Plains states this weekend to early next week. That air will then turn eastward.
"An Arctic blast prior to the end of the month (Jan. 20-24) has the potential to sprawl over much of the Central and Eastern states," Anderson said. "It may not be such a direct shot into the East, however."
The late-month blast of cold air has the potential to surpass the frigid conditions through Jan. 15th in terms of expanse and magnitude. As a result, the monthly average will be considerably lower than recent Januarys.
A glimmer of hope for frozen those dreaming of a thaw
"Beyond that big Arctic outbreak from Jan 20-24, a slow warmup should begin for much of the Central and Eastern states and may last well into February," Anderson said.
Until then, consumers will need to continue to shell out dearly for heating their homes and businesses, and most people spending time outdoors will need to have multiple thick layers of clothes to keep warm.
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