Arctic Cold Outbreak Hits North America as New Year Begins

The new year brings an Arctic outbreak across North America, pushing temperatures in Eastern Canada and the U.S. significantly below normal. Cold air from Siberia is affecting areas as far south as Florida, with extreme chills recorded. Temperatures are expected to stabilize toward the end of next week, despite past outbreaks causing severe disruptions and fatalities.

The commencement of the new year is marked by an Arctic outbreak that is pushing temperatures across Eastern Canada and the northern United States well below normal levels. Driven by frigid air masses originating from Siberia, this phenomenon, often referred to in the U.S. as the Arctic “blast,” is causing notable temperature declines as it moves southward, potentially affecting regions as far as Florida. According to Brian Proctor, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, communities in Kitikmeot are experiencing particularly severe cold, with temperatures falling below -30 degrees Celsius and wind chills reaching -50 degrees Celsius.

Certain areas, such as Iqaluit, will also witness significant drops, cooling down to -17 degrees Celsius by January 8 after enjoying milder weather. The temperature in Eastern Canada has already shifted from -1 degrees Celsius on January 2 to a peak of -11 degrees Celsius by January 5. “Not tremendously cold from what they can experience, but it’s definitely cooling down,” noted Proctor regarding the situation. The east coast of the United States is expected to face severe cold, with Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., anticipating lows of -17 degrees Celsius for the first time in several years. Fortunately, a gradual warming trend is expected by the end of the following week, as noted by Proctor. While Arctic outbreaks are a common occurrence around this time, the severe cold front witnessed in January 2019 led to significant casualties and widespread disruption of air travel, highlighting the potential dangers of such weather events.

The article discusses an ongoing Arctic cold outbreak affecting North America as the new year begins. This meteorological phenomenon is characterized by a significant influx of cold air from Siberia that traverses the North Pole, subsequently impacting parts of Eastern Canada and the continental United States. The National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center have forecasted a notable drop in temperatures across these regions, signaling the varying degrees of severity witnessed in different locations. Additionally, there is historical context regarding Arctic outbreaks, noting their frequency and potential implications on human safety and transport.

In summary, as the new year begins, North America is experiencing a significant Arctic cold outbreak, leading to dangerously low temperatures across Eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Meteorologists have noted the extreme cold particularly impacting locations like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., with temperatures dropping below seasonal averages. While this weather pattern is not uncommon for this time of year, its potential for disruption and danger warrants attention as temperatures are expected to gradually moderate in the coming days.

Original Source: nunatsiaq.com