Polar vortex set to invade Canada and the U.S. with dangerous cold
The polar vortex will soon elongate over North America with a dangerous cold moving into sections of Canada and the U.S.
One of the most notable and widespread Arctic outbreaks that we have seen across North America since 2014 is on the way.
An Arctic air mass from Siberia will plunge south across the Prairies and continue all the way to northern Mexico, before spreading east to Florida and the Atlantic region by early next week.
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Much colder-than-normal temperatures will dominate across North America east of the Rockies next week, including severe cold for the Prairies and northern Ontario with wind chills into the -40s.
That won’t be the coldest weather that we have seen in 10 years at most locations, but it is most unusual to see so much of North America with such an extreme cold anomaly for a five-day period.
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Bitterly, dangerous cold en route to North America
As mentioned, the forthcoming polar vortex infiltration will be one of the most widespread Arctic air outbreaks in recent memory.
A ridge into Alaska displaces the polar vortex southwards over nearly all of North America.
Dangerous cold is forecast on the Prairies and parts of Ontario with temperatures dipping into the -30s to -40s Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a risk of frostbite and hypothermia if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors. Any skin exposure will result in frostbite.
Sunday and Monday will be the coldest air of the season for southern and eastern Ontario, and much of Quebec.
Minus-20 temperatures will spread east into Ottawa and much of Quebec, including Montreal, on Monday night with brutal wind chills.
Toronto's Pearson International Airport will see overnight lows dipping to -18 C on Monday night, with a wind chill in the -20s
Down south, nearly 47 states will see below-seasonal temperatures. Widespread daytime highs will dip into the -20s and 30s in the U.S. Midwest, Northern Plains and Great Lakes region on Saturday and Sunday.
By Monday, below-freezing temperatures could reach the Gulf Coast including Houston, Texas, New Orleans, La., and parts of northern Florida.
Temperatures will be -10 C to -15 C, or more, below normal for this time of year. Additional cold-air outbreaks are expected to follow.
It is important to stay safe during extreme cold events. Click here for cold-related safety information.
WATCH BELOW: Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia
With files from Rachel Modestino and Dr. Doug Gillham, meteorologists at The Weather Network.
