#polar-vortex

#polar-vortex

Americans are facing the snowiest winter in five years as experts say a frigid December will lay the foundation for a cold couple of months. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) meteorologist and climate scientist Judah Cohen spoke to the Daily Mail about his predictions for the 2025-2026 winter season based on his comprehensive AI weather models. And it looks like December will give Americans a brutal introduction into the winter ahead.

The massive polar vortex sweeping across the US this week will only be the beginning of the country's bone-chilling plunge into winter, meteorologists warn. New forecasts have revealed that the Midwest and Northeast are currently in the first wave of an arctic 'outbreak' which will likely see more freezing cold air move south from Canada over the next three weeks.

The polar vortex is like a giant, spinning whirlpool of cold air high up in the atmosphere above the North Pole, normally held in place by strong winds that act as a barrier, keeping the extreme cold locked away from the US. However, strong storms and high-pressure systems in the lower atmosphere have sent ripples of warmer air upward that knocked this vortex off balance, allowing the icy Arctic air to dip farther south and blanket the US.

France is currently in the grip of a cold snap which blanketed large parts of the country in snow on Thursday. The 'manteau blanc' (white coat) was caused by a polar vortex which has become stuck over the country leading to unusually cold temperatures and ice and snow in lowland areas. According to Météo France, this will continue into the weekend, with Saturday predicted to be the coldest day.