Meteorologists blame a stretched polar vortex, moisture, lack of sea ice for dangerous winter blast

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by By SETH BORENSTEINJanuary 21, 2026 at 09:23 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

A dangerous winter storm is forecast to hit the eastern two-thirds of the United States starting Friday, potentially rivaling a major hurricane in damage. Meteorologists attribute the impending blast of subzero temperatures, heavy snow, and ice to a stretched polar vortex, influenced by warm Arctic waters, cold continental land, and a lack of sea ice. The frigid weather is expected to persist from late January into early February, impacting approximately 230 million people with temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder and 150 million with snow and ice. The storm, originating in a warming Arctic, will stretch from New Mexico to New England and across the Deep South, combining Arctic cold with moisture from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Alaska 40% Canada 40% Siberia 40% New England 40% New Mexico 40% National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50% Chicago 50% Ryan Maue 60% National Weather Service 60% Lake Michigan ×270% Arctic ×480% United States 90%

Keywords

polar vortex 100% winter storm 90% arctic warming 80% subzero temperatures 70% heavy snow 70% ice 60% meteorologists 50% climate change 50% lack of sea ice 40%