An Arctic blast is coming. Here’s how cold it may get in your region

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A Siberian Arctic blast is bringing frigid air to the U.S., starting in the northern Rockies on Monday and spreading eastward by midweek
• The cold will intensify with three surges of Arctic air, with the third possibly reaching record-breaking lows in January
• More than 30 states could see subzero temperatures, straining energy systems

🔭 The context: This air mass may include a polar vortex lobe, potentially driving temperatures lower than in several years across the Midwest and East Coast
• Snowfall remains uncertain, but heavy lake-effect snow is expected near the Great Lakes
• Forecasts hint at a coast-to-coast winter storm by next week, possibly impacting large areas with snow and ice

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Extreme weather patterns underscore the need for resilient infrastructure and climate adaptability as polar vortex disturbances become more frequent
• High energy demand for heating could exacerbate emissions unless clean energy sources are utilized

⏭️ What's next: Subzero conditions may persist into mid-January, with the coldest air shifting to the Pacific Northwest later in the month
• Storm developments and snowfall patterns will determine the extent of disruptions, with updates expected as conditions evolve

💬 One quote: “A lobe of the polar vortex threatens to bring some seriously cold and possibly snowy weather to the United States.” — Ben Noll, Meteorologist

📈 One stat: More than 30 states could experience subzero temperatures in January's first half

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