New York– Another wave of biting cold air from the polar vortex could invade the central and northeastern United States this weekend, potentially producing the season’s first serious snowstorm along the Interstate 95 corridor if it meets the moisture expected to sweep across the country.
Current computer forecast model guidance suggests snow will move into the Midwest by Saturday and into the Northeast by Sunday. However, uncertainty regarding all aspects of snowfall remains high, and those traveling to the Midwest and Northeast should pay close attention to changes in weather forecasts as the week progresses.
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Current forecast models show the circulation of the polar vortex weakening later this week into the weekend, which will allow more cold air to flow into the Midwest and Northeast, according to the Fox Forecast Center.
What is a polar vortex?
This follows New England’s record-low temperatures on Tuesday.
The polar vortex is a large, persistent area of low pressure and cold air near the poles, approximately 10-30 miles above the Earth’s surface. A strong polar vortex controls the coldest air above the Arctic Circle; a weak polar vortex causes cold air to fall into the lowest levels of the atmosphere and immerse itself in the Pacific jet stream, bringing cold air from Canada into the lower 48-degree area.
If enough cold air is able to sweep across the Midwest and Northeast this weekend, it will create good snowmaking conditions for a fast-moving storm system currently expected to move eastward from the Pacific Northwest.
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The system will also require additional moisture moving up from the south to produce significant snowfall.
Fast-moving clipper parade brings threat of more snow, rain and strong winds to Midwest and Northeast
If all of these conditions are met, an area of low pressure could develop near the coast this weekend, increasing the chance of heavy snow in the Northeast, including the Boston, Philadelphia and New York metro areas.
This will be the first significant snowfall in this portion of the Interstate 95 corridor.
However, if one of these components is missing, snowfall totals will be reduced.
This latest storm confirms long-term prospects Noah An aggressive start to meteorological winter was predicted last month, in part because La Niña climate patterns.
Please check back for updates on this developing story.
Original source of the article: Polar vortex could bring bone-chilling cold to Interstate 95 and possibly first major snowstorm