A Polar Vortex Will Unleash a Winter-Like Blast Today
We wish we could say that spring has sprung, but apparently a polar vortex is unleashing its wrath on us today. Even though it’s April and the only thing we should be worried about is those famous showers that make May flowers, it looks like Mother Nature has something totally different in mind for millions of Americans.
For people who live in the Midwest, the Great Plains, and New England, an Arctic blast and at least three storm systems are set to bring winterlike conditions between today and April 12. The bitter cold, courtesy of the infamous polar vortex, is set to begin April 5 in the northern Great Plains and Montana. Then, this potentially record-breaking April cold will likely spread across nearly two-thirds of the continental United States — bringing multiple snow-making storms along with it.
Record #cold temperatures are expected in parts of Plains, Midwest and Northeast through this weekend: https://t.co/nmwSV6FXez pic.twitter.com/9A1aK5wceb
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) April 5, 2018
If you think this is wild, you might be happy to know that weather experts completely agree with you. Meteorologist Michael Palmer of The Weather Company tweeted that it was a “ridiculous late season arctic outbreak.”
Ridiculous late season arctic outbreak Fri/Sat Plains and Midwest. Numerous record lows, approaching coldest so late in season for some w/hard freeze deep into the South. pic.twitter.com/DtrlvklXxy
— Michael Palmer (@MPalmerwx) April 4, 2018
Meanwhile, The Weather Channel’s Greg Postel tweeted, “I still can’t believe how cold it is over the Central U.S. It’s friggin’ April. Arctic high pressure is still making most lives miserable.”
I still can't believe how cold it is over the Central U.S. It's friggin' April. Arctic high pressure is still making most lives miserable pic.twitter.com/uEVgwcXMRk
— Greg Postel (@GregPostel) April 4, 2018
The first “snow-maker” is set to begin today in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, spreading into the Northeast by Friday and possibly bringing a few inches of snow to people in those areas, according to The Weather Channel. The second storm system also begins today in the Rocky Mountains, spreading into the central Plains and potentially to the mid-Atlantic region, bringing a rain-and-snow mix to areas not used to seeing this type of weather pattern in April — such as Washington, D.C — through Saturday. And the third system could spread snow from the Rockies (yes, again!) to the northern Plains and upper Midwest from Saturday through Monday. We shudder to think of what might come after that.
If you live in any of those areas, be sure to stay tuned to your local weather forecast to hear the latest updates. Stay warm!
Next, learn how to warm up a cold home quickly in the video below:
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