Mostly Cloudy
Arctic Blast on Way for New Year
Coldest temperature in years expected in Upper Midwest, Northeast
By
AccuWeather
The coldest air in at least a couple of years is aiming for areas from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast during the first few days of the new year.
While the pattern looks progressive and will still feature a temperature rebound the following week, a dip in steering-level winds, known as the jet stream, will lock in long enough to drive Arctic air southward.
Last year, a stubborn jet stream over northern Canada kept most of the cold air locked up near the Arctic Circle.
During the few occasions when cold air made a southward move, it was negated by bare ground and unusually warm lake temperatures.
RELATED ON ACCUWEATHER: Snow Not Enough to Eradicate Drought, Restore Water Supply
Nighttime and early morning temperatures can be 15 to 25 degrees lower than the high temperatures in some areas away from the unfrozen lakes.
While the lakes are still warm, they are trending colder due to the recent storms. There is currently a substantial area of snow on the ground now reaching well down into the United States.
The waves of cold air will accelerate or initiate ice formation on some of the lakes in the region.
Folks who have been saving some money on heating because of warmth last winter and this fall will burn through a few bucks.
The snow acts as an insulator from the warm ground and also reflects some of the sun's energy back.
The combination of reinforcing waves of cold air and natural snowcover is setting up some of the best early winter skiing conditions in the past several years.
For more weather news, visit AccuWeather.com.
PHOTOS ON SKYE: Massive Winter Storm Batters Northeast
In Case You Missed It
-
Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-23-2013
Amazing and timely widescreen images from across the universe
-
Distraught Mom Becomes Face of Oklahoma Storm
The story behind the most iconic photo from Moore, Okla.
-
Watch: Chef David Chang Cooks for Astronauts in Space
Can the star chef impress Chris Hadfield at the International Space Station?
-
NOAA Predicts Another Busy Hurricane Season
Experts forecast up to six major hurricanes this year
-
Look: Interactive Google Map Reveals Moore Tornado's Path
The satellite image shows the scar the tornado left in its wake
Comments
Add a Comment
6 Comments
we are all being brainwashed into believing that suddenly the earth is going to heat up and we will all perish...just like the end of the world theory...every intelligent person realizes that the "ice ages" did happen and next week we will all get a taste of that sort of weather...and how much did Gore make on his fairy tale book??? people will do anything to make a buck...all they need is a bunch of dummies to follow and support them....
December 29 2012 at 4:26 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down ReplyYeah, because it is impossible that humans can change the earth, right?
December 30 2012 at 1:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBring back global warming I miss it.
December 29 2012 at 12:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt's called Winter. It happens every year, around this time. See, the Earth goes through Climate Change all on its own, it does so in cycles, has done so for Millions of years before us, and will do so Millions of years after us.
December 29 2012 at 12:01 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyHow can you be so logical and dismissive of global warming - We must continue to believe the bullshit being thrown at us!!
December 29 2012 at 2:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLooks like maybe the ball dropping on New Year's Eve from Times Square might appear
December 29 2012 at 10:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyas one giant snowball !!!