Polar vortex heading for US sending temperatures plunging

Published

11 months ago

December 31, 2024

Apolar vortex headed for the US could bring cold winds and low temperatures this week, making January the coldest month in over a decade.

According to the National Weather Service, the arctic blast will affect a large swathe of the country, arriving in the northern Rockies and expected to have spread to the East Coast by New Year’s Day.

‘A significant pattern change is expected across much of the country as an Arctic Outbreak is forecast to spread form the Northern Plains to the south and east, leading to exceptionally high probabilities of below-normal temperatures expected across much of the East’, the NWS said.

The plunge will bring wind chills across the Midwest with temperatures dipping below zero in at least 30 states.

‘The coldest air of the season to date and dangerous wind chills chills are likely across many areas of the Southeast’, the NWS warned.

In some areas, temperatures are forecasted to reach an average of around 20 degrees, while freezing conditions in the Gulf coast and even Florida could be expected.

Snowfall is also possible across parts of the Southern Plains and the Southeast with the potential for heavy snowfall expected in the Appalachians, Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes and the Northeast.

A further drop in temperatures is expected next week, and below normal temperatures are predicted to affect central and eastern US during much of January.

A polar vortex headed for the US could bring cold winds and low temperatures this week, making January the coldest month in over a decade

According to the National Weather Service, the arctic blast will affect a large swathe of the country, arriving in the northern Rockies and expected to have spread to the East Coast by Wednesday

The plunge will bring wind chills across the Midwest with temperatures dipping below zero in at least 30 states

Plunges like these occur when air currents that keep air frosty over the North Pole – the polar vortex – weaken, making freezing arctic air slip south and push the vortex down with it.

That means arctic air is blasted over the US, while pressure changes cause strong winds.

Some states will be experiencing their coldest winter in years.

In Washington DC, the temperature hasn’t dropped below zero since January 31, 2019.

In Philadelphia, the same threshold has not been met since January 19, 1994.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s temperatures have only dipped below zero three times since 2000, and the last time Raleigh, North Carolina’s temperatures fell below 10 degrees was in 2018.

January’s freezing temperatures will come after an unusually warm end to the month of December across the country.

Freezing temperatures could increase demands for heat and electricity and put a strain on the US electrical grid.

Plunges like these occur when air currents that keep air frosty over the North Pole weaken, making freezing arctic air slip south

That means arctic air is blasted over the US, while pressure changes cause strong winds

In some areas, temperatures are forecasted to reach an average of around 20 degrees

Some states will be experiencing their coldest winter in years

January’s freezing temperatures will come after an unusually warm end to the month of December across the country

It comes a decade after nearly 187 million Americans were affected by a polar vortex in 2014which brought a whirlpool of frigid, dense air across the country.

With wind chills that stretched from Montana to Alabama, much of the US experienced the coldest temperatures in almost 20 years.

The coldest temperature reported in a 24-hour period was -36 degrees at Crane Lake, Minnesota.

New York Governor at the time Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency covering 13 counties in the western part of the state.

In addition, more than 20 people across the country died from the cold as they dealt with severely low temperatures.

Entertainment

2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen Attack Gov. Otti’s Advance Team In Imo, As Scores Were Kidnapped From A Bus Along Owerri-Road Road

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

An advance team of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State.

The three-member team was en route to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, when the attack occurred shortly before the airport junction.

In a statement electronically signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia Government clarified that Governor Otti’s main convoy was not involved in the incident and was nowhere near the location at the time.

“The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost,” the statement stressed, urging the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.

It was learned that Security agencies have been notified, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

Meanwhile, a commercial bus plying along Owerri -Aba road towards the Ngor Okpala axis was attacked Monday and scores of passengers were feared kidnapped by yet-to-identify gunmen.

Gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ngige who confirmed the incident to newsmen, stated that he was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. He mentioned that several people were shot and injured.

“I was not in the convoy. I’m still alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came to my state to relax, but what happened is unfortunate. I will go back to Abuja. But I assure those who did this, they will not go unpunished.” he said

The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the busy Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.

According to Mr. Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a policeman in the pilot car was shot, and the attackers, dressed in police and army uniforms, took away his gun and uniform.

He also confirmed that a woman filming the incident was fatally shot. He added that a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also shot; he lost significant blood and is scheduled for surgery, but is expected to recover fully.

The pilot car was riddled with bullets, while the wounded escort leader has undergone surgery and is also expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has launched a state-wide manhunt for the perpetrators.