Posted on 12/13/2016 10:16:03 PM PST by Innovative
Extreme cold is moving across more of the country this week, bringing with it the potential for record lows and dangerous conditions for children, pets and anyone else without adequate protection — all thanks to a weather phenomenon known as the polar vortex.
What is the polar vortex?
This phrase is once again in the headlines, and worth re-defining. The “polar vortex” technically refers to a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds both of the Earth’s poles, according to the National Weather Service. It’s always existed at the poles, but the polar vortex strengthens in particular during the winter and can send cold air southward.
Temperatures dip to dangerous lows when the polar vortex expands, sending thermometers plummeting.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
I know it’s cold when the dog gets under the blankets with me. He’s not a fan of cold weather either.
We know its cold when our cat (who doesn’t like the baby) will get under the covers or burrow at the foot of the crib (in our room)
Weather can be crazy here. Was getting ready to leave on a long trip. Snow was starting in 30 minutes. Figured I had time to pack. 1 hour later I opened the door and there was 2 inches on the ground with more falling. Barely made it out of town heading south. Big snowflakes.
Sheesh - I just checked NWS, before coming to FR, and now they are saying we’ll drop from 60 deg. on Sat. afternoon to 16 deg. early Sun. morning (with wind & snow), finally settling down to 8 deg. F early Monday. (At least the winds diminish somewhat, for a wind chill of only -2, early Monday.) That’s not “awful”, but it’s darn cold for us, for mid-December. Time for pipe-protection measures...
The coldest I’ve experienced is just under -20 deg. F wind chill, so people in the upper Midwest are laughing at us. :-)
I’m retiring next month ..... December, January and February in Florida with family, spring and fall in Texas at home and summers in the Colorado mountains with my 5th wheel RV and boat..... me an cold are parting ways. Forever ! .....:o)
Ha Ha, I know the reference, wonder how many others do? My sister lives in Alaska and loves it.
Now that sounds like a winning plan.
Grew up in the Midwest. They would shiver standing face into 15 degrees and a 30-40 mph West Texas wind. Can give you instant chills. But hey, maybe that’s just 30 year older me talking now. Been watching long term forecasts for my area. 6 days ago there was no return of the polar vortex forecast for my area all the way up to Christmas. Surprise, Surprise.
Exactly. I learned long ago that bundling up is a waste of time like when I shovel the walkway or driveway. The wind has some influence on me but not as long as it’s an intermittent wind.
That’s great amigo!
We’re fixin’ to get sub-zero this weekend. Hope that means snow with it, too dang dry right now. Got the Mrs. to her chemo and the wood is stacked for the stove, so we have no place to be for a while.
Yeah .... 74 here Friday and then a high 22 on Sunday ...... Hope that Mrs Milehi gets through her days easy as possible.
Wood stove will earn its worth here too.
Stay Safe !!
I just looked at the forecast for Minot, ND. They get “snaps” too — from cord, to wicked cold. But most of this Dec., it just looks like really cold. -45 deg. wind chill forecast for this Sat.
Incidentally, while poking around, I found an interesting pattern. At the Paducah, KY, NWS office, for example, they report ONE “cold snap” of over 50 deg. F, since 1996 (through 2016), with another forecast this weekend. But, from 1950 - 1995, there were 26 such occurrences. So much for the weather getting “more extreme”.
http://www.weather.gov/pah/ExtremeTemperatureDrop
Sounds like a ruff life...
Gonna have to find a ugly girl friend just so I don’t feel guilty .... Good news was the boss said he was gonna have to fire 4 people just to replace me....:o)
Randolph and Mortimer Duke have cornered the FCOJ futures market!
Patchy blowing snow between 10pm and 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around -17. Wind chill values as low as -31. Blustery, with a northwest wind 9 to 16 mph.
Sunday
Sunny and cold, with a high near -6. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around -12. South wind 6 to 11 mph.
I’m sure you’ve earned your retirement many times over. What kind of boat do you haul with a 5th wheel?
5TH wheel toy hauler, enough room in it for a queen bed, bathroom shower, a combo washer dryer, diner table, my recliner and my Polaris ATV. Towing a Tracker 175 17ft boat with a 90 merc on it. My tow rig is a 06 cummins 4x4 crew cab.
Sort of same package as this stock photo, cept a cummins 2500 dodge 5th wheel B & W turnover ball versus a bumper hitch.
http://s155.photobucket.com/user/camaro-affair/media/camperandboatrear_zps02d6d5b8.jpg.html
OH, wow. I wouldn’t even want to try backing up with that rig.
POC ...piece oh cake. Pretty good strategy with parking to and from destination and backing only at the lake after dropping off the RV.....:o)
Drop the boat, park the RV, hook back up to the boat , go fishing.
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