For over a week, weather forecasters have been saying that a "Polar Vortex" will dip into the United States. Today, Sunday, the forecast is firming-up, and it's worrisome. EXTREME COLD all the way down to Texas, is now expected this week, and with it, VERY heavy snow in many areas.
Of course, forecasts can and do change. But what appears to be coming is __so__ extraordinary, it warrants this news coverage.
The image below shows the expected HIGH temperatures in many parts of the country from Mid-week to Friday; repeating, these are HIGH temperatures for the day:
This bitter cold will cause home water pipes to potentially freeze and break. Folks in areas which are unaccustomed to this type of severe cold, are advised to leave their water faucets dripping slowly, which keeps water moving, and lessens (but does not eliminate) the likelihood of freezing pipes.
The folks in Tulsa, OK are not accustomed to 18 degrees. The folks in Dallas, TX are not accustomed to 28 degrees. The folks in Little Rock, AR and in Atlanta, GA are not accustomed to 24 degrees.
With such fiercely cold air coming down from the north pole, the typical moisture in the atmosphere will freeze into snow. In some places, really HEAVY snow . . . as in accumulations more than two FEET deep!
The image below shows the areas forecast to be impacted by snow. Light blue is 6 inches. Dark blue is 6-12 inches. Purple is 12-18" white-within-purple is 24 inches and over:
Folks in the areas above should prepare for heavy snow. Traveling will be dangerous, and in some areas, impossible until crews clear the roads.
Regular readers know this drill: Don't wait until the last minute to try to get your preps because folks who wait will find empty store shelves. Get your preps now so you won't be "left out in the cold."