Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Polar Vortex Breakdown Brings Bitter Cold to US
A big, cold wind called the Polar Vortex is breaking apart and sending very cold air to many places in the US.
This is making it super cold in places like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, where temperatures are dropping a lot.
It's also snowing in Virginia, and many schools there are closed because of the snow.
The cold air is expected to stick around for a few weeks, making it very chilly and causing more snow in some areas.
People in these places might need to use more energy to stay warm.
A breakdown in the Polar Vortex is causing bitter cold waves and snowfall across the US.
Temperatures are expected to drop significantly in the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and along the I-95 corridor.
Central Virginia schools are closed on Monday due to forecasted snowfall of 1-4 inches.
The National Weather Service predicts isolated damaging winds, a brief tornado, and heavy rainfall in Florida.
Three rounds of cold Arctic air are expected over the next two weeks, leading to significant energy demands.
- Who
- Residents and schools in the Upper Midwest, Northeast, Appalachians, I-95 corridor, Central Virginia, Florida, and Pacific Northwest
- What
- A breakdown in the Polar Vortex is causing bitter cold waves and snowfall across the US
- When
- Starting this weekend and continuing through the week, with multiple cold waves expected over the next two weeks
- Where
- Upper Midwest, Northeast, Appalachians, I-95 corridor, Central Virginia, Florida, and Pacific Northwest
- Why
- A displacement of the polar vortex is allowing Arctic air to seep into the central and eastern US
- Affected Regions
- Upper Midwest, Northeast, Appalachians, I-95 corridor, Central Virginia, Florida, Pacific Northwest
- Temperature Drop
- Up to 10 degrees between Sunday and Monday in Philadelphia, New York, Boston
- Snowfall Predictions
- 1-4 inches in Virginia, heavy rain in Pacific Northwest
- School Closures
- Multiple Central Virginia schools closed on Monday
- Weather Events
- Isolated damaging winds, brief tornado, heavy rainfall in Florida
- Polar Vortex Impact
- Three rounds of cold Arctic air expected over two weeks
- Energy Demand
- Significant surges in energy demands due to Arctic air
