Posted on 01/04/2014 7:33:23 PM PST by Windflier
Experts have warned that Friday's freezing temperatures were simply a warm-up and that this weekend will bring a big chill for 140 million people - almost half the nation - that could prove fatal for the unprepared - and will continue through the winter.
With the Northeast still reeling from the huge storm that dumped as much as two-feet of snow across the region and was responsible for the deaths of 16 people, a new weather system is threatening to bring record low temperatures to the Midwest as a polar vortex barrels over the United States.
'It's the mother lode of cold air,' said Weather Channel coordinating meteorologist Tom Moore. 'On the heels of what will be the coldest air of the season, will be dangerous, life-threatening winds.'
Because of the winds, 'It may feel as cold as negative 50 to negative 60 on Sunday night over sections of the north-central states,' the National Weather Service said to NBC News. 'In those conditions, frost bite sets in on exposed skin within five minutes.'
Moore said that as the freakishly cold weather hits the region, authorities need to act fast to avoid a human catastrophe because of the chill.
'Anybody living out on the streets needs to be rounded up and put into a shelter,' said Moore to MSNBC News.
'The repercussions ... could be deadly, and I'm afraid we're going to see cases like that.'
The temperature predictions are startling: 25 below zero in Fargo, North Dakota, minus 31 in International Falls, Minnesota, and 15 below in Indianapolis and Chicago.
The so-called 'polar vortex' will send cold air piled up at the North Pole down to the U.S., funneling it as far south as the Gulf Coast.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I remember days like that too. Every winter we got a few days of -25 to -30 F temps. It was normal. I would get up at about 3 am to start my car so that it would start at 7:30 am.
That's warm for January in SoCal. A bit unusual for the region, but only by a bit. I remember lots of Christmas days in SoCal when it was t-shirt weather.
These people are so full of it.
I started cutting the greens on a golf course in Panama City,Fla (about 1981-82) whilst snow was falling.
Suffice it to say, I did not finish.
You would be suprised what you CAN do, when you have to.
It’s rough though.
Was about -80 with the windchill in Chicago in ‘81-’82 or so. It gets your attention. I’m in Albuquerque now to avoid extremes such as this. For those that choose to stay in the cold zone, bon appetite. God help those that have no choice.
I just checked and my car battery is 5 years old. For some reason I was thinking it was only about 2. I checked the water level for the first time ever and it took nearly or maybe slightly more than a pint.
BTW, has anyone noticed how expensive Car batteries have gotten? I believe the price has doubled in just a few years.
I'd have to agree with that. The human body has its limits, and that exceeds it, I don't care how tough you are.
We were without power for nearly six days over Christmas due to the ice storms. When the temps dropped to -25, I brought the generator in the house to let it warm up and change the oil/filters.
Now that's a plus I hadn't thought of. Bet you've got your share of other pesky critters, though. Like.....er.....um.....do y'all even have pesky critters in snow country?
LOL
I love the wintertime and the snow ‘season’. I had quite a lot up here last year but a bit lighter this year....so far. (More coming for sure). It is about 700 yards down the mountain to the nearest paved road so keeping that plowed is critical. The state road fellas do a great job on there end of things and there is never a time I can’t get all the way down into the ‘big’ town. I usually scoot down about 3 times a week for groceries and to shoot the breeze at a couple local watering holes but that is about it. It is definitely a different lifestyle and I completely understand folks not liking it. The low temps, ice and snow absolutely have to be respected.
In winter...racoons, coyotes, rabbits, deer, squirrels and mice.
I suppose I'd survive with the right sort of winter gear, and a good deal of advice, but man.....I'm just glad I don't have to.
Of course, some scientists are predicting that we're about to enter a cooling phase that could last for decades. I might have to learn a thing or two about cold survival.
Yes, it is. Thank you for posting this jewel.
8 degrees in Atlanta??
I had no idea it ever got that cold there.
Shut that V-8 off! The global warming is freezing us to death! LOL
Braggart :-)
...and, much more rarely, wolves, black bear and cougar.
Alaska is balmy in comparison. It’s not even going to get below freezing in Juneau at least for the next 5 days.
Agreed. Geothermal is still in its infancy here. But in general, if things are cooling I see it as having all sorts of investment implications -— http://www.webcommentary.com/php/ShowArticle.php?id=sterlingd&date=130913 as an example. Of course if the earth is actually warming up then maybe the best investment is ammo and canned goods...
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