'Polar vortex' Pushes Subzero Temps into Midwest-Coldest It's Been In Two Decades

AP Via Yahoo News ^ | January 6, 2014 | TAMMY WEBBER and KERRY LESTER

[lbryce]

It hasn't been this cold for almost two decades in many parts of the country.

A whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended Monday into much of the U.S., pummeling parts of the country with a dangerous cold that could break decades-old records with wind chill warnings stretching from Montana to Alabama.

For a big chunk of the Midwest, the subzero temperatures were moving in behind another winter wallop: more than a foot of snow and high winds that made traveling treacherous. Officials closed schools in cities including Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee and warned residents to stay indoors and avoid the frigid cold altogether.

[PeterPrinciple]

It must be so hot up north that all the cold air is trying to escape!!!!

---

That is their tortured logic...............

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks lbryce.

• IPCC silently slashes its global warming predictions in the AR5 final draft

[lbryce]

Don’t laugh. Some version thereof might very well end up part of some upcoming announcement, to be released as soon as they make it back from being stuck in the Antartic ice.

[mplsconservative]

Schools are closed statewide here in Minnesota. I’m just west of Minneapolis. These are the current conditions from the NWS:

-20°F

-29°C

Humidity64%
Wind SpeedW 16 G 20 mph
Barometer30.28 in
Dewpoint-28°F (-33°C)
Visibility3.00 mi
Wind Chill-46°F (-43°C)

Last Update on 6 Jan 8:55 am CST

Brrrrrr...

[UCANSEE2]

I’ve never heard of a Polar Vortex, it’s weird but interesting, none the less.

VISUAL AIDS.

Earth Wind Map

North America Wind Map

[nascarnation]

I want to ship it back to Fairbanks from Indiana.
Once a decade or so is enough to remind me what it’s like LOL.

[anoldafvet]

Has anyone but me noticed that the enemedia is now reporting the “Wind Chill” instead of the actual temperature? Makes it sound more horrific I guess.

[nascarnation]

The whole goal is to promote the “crisis” aspect which of course demands more government to “handle” it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Vortex? Just another Siberian Express or Alberta Clipper to me.

Must keep the ignorant ignorant with new words for old storms.

[Harold Shea]

Just came in from checking the cows here in

northern mid-Tn.Feel sorry for them bunched up

trying to stay warm.Filled the bird feeder.

Gonna try to find me a face mask at Wally in a bit.

I`m wishing for some climate change big time.brrrr

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

1886

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/1886-1974.php

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/snowstorms-in-the-south-an-historical-perspective

1880
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/columnist/vergano/story/2011/08/Little-House-author-right-on-1880s-winter/50065682/1

http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/history/robinson/liii.txt

1888
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1888

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoolhouse_Blizzard

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/14/arts/recalling-the-blizzard-of-1888.html

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/the-great-blizzard-of-1888-americas-greatest-snow-disaster

1890
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~class/am485_98/hall/bust.html

“The burst began on December 16,1890 with a severe snow storm that dumped three feet of snow on the Roanoke Valley. It caused “at least one death when the roof of the railway machine shops caved in and thousands of dollars in property damage” (Gladden 21)

http://books.google.com/books?id=eeM_AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=1890s+snow+storms&source=bl&ots=5RAMv5dQgy&sig=SrvwHEaQybh4nC5-pNMUWSRGHlA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=u9nKUqWHB4HM2QWZ04CYDQ&ved=0CFsQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=1890s%20snow%20storms&f=false

[angcat]

What affect does this cold have on the radiation coming from Japan?

[Night Hides Not]

The 10 inches of snow that fell on Friday is gone and tomorrow we will be in the single digits for a high.
I’ve never heard of a Polar Vortex, it’s weird but interesting, none the less.

Polar Vortex? Perhaps Hollywood can make a movie about this phenomenon.

Ooops...already been made:

I'm hoping the Polar Vortex remains through the Super Bowl. Serves the NFL right for moving it to NY/NJ.

[Night Hides Not]

What affect does this cold have on the radiation coming from Japan?

Ice cubes that glow in the dark?

[angcat]

LOL :o)

[Wuli]

our temp late tonite - NJ - is expected to be 4 degrees

[SWAMPSNIPER]

It’s predicted to hit 20f here in St. Augustine.

[2111USMC]

Sorry I missed your question. Had to leave for work.

Davenport schools were closed today for a scheduled holiday. They have announced that schools will be closed tomorrow because of the dangerous temps.