At a Glance
- A stretching polar vortex will drive Arctic air across the U.S. for 10-14 days
- Wind chills of -10°F to -20°F expected in Chicago during the Bears-Rams playoff game
- Snow could reach Florida’s panhandle for the second consecutive year
- Why it matters: Record-breaking cold threatens travel, health and outdoor events for nearly half the country
A powerful polar vortex is sweeping southward across the United States, locking 170 million people in a deep freeze that forecasters say will dominate the final two weeks of January and could deliver snow to Florida.
Arctic Air Path
The vortex is stretching rather than weakening, a pattern that allows frigid air to blanket a wider area for longer. Temperatures are already falling across the Plains and will continue to plummet through the weekend.
- Friday night, Jan. 16: Below-average readings reach the Plains
- Saturday, Jan. 17: Highs in the single digits and teens across the Northern and Central Plains and Upper Midwest-20 to 30 degrees below normal
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Cold pushes into the Midwest and East Coast
Weekend Extremes
Wind-chill values in Chicago and Minneapolis are forecast to hit -10°F to -20°F on Sunday, the same day the Bears host the Los Angeles Rams in the AFC Divisional Round. Tailgaters and players alike will face life-threatening cold.
Snow Risk Deep in the South
Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi with NBC affiliate WESH says snow could accumulate in parts of the Florida panhandle, Georgia and South Carolina. WOFL-TV meteorologist Noah Bergren adds, “It takes a lot to happen for snow to accumulate in Florida, but it looks like this system may be able to do so.”
If snow materializes in Florida, it would mark the second year in a row the Sunshine State sees flakes.
Lingering Chill
AccuWeather long-range meteorologist Alex Duffus says the vortex will stay active for 10 to 14 days, keeping temperatures well below average nationwide. A surge of warmth into northern Alaska late January or early February could later reload the pattern, driving another round of Arctic air southward.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly half the U.S. population faces dangerous cold through the end of January
- Outdoor events, travel and power grids will be tested
- Snow in Florida two years running would be historically rare
- The pattern could reload in early February, extending winter’s grip
