N.Y. weather: Waves of arctic air will make for cold snap into mid-January

New York’s Staten Island. It is reasonable to declare that winter is here as New York City experiences freezing temperatures. Even worse, it is predicted that these wintry conditions will last for a considerable amount of time.

A senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, Bob Larson, said waves of chilly air will cause prolonged discomfort throughout much of the United States, including New York City.

Due to disturbances in the polar vortex, rounds of arctic air will move southward, causing cold temperatures throughout the majority of the states east of the Rocky Mountains. An area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere that sits over the polar region is known as the polar vortex. Strong vortices trap cold air in the north; if they are broken, arctic air may escape and make its way to the United States.

Starting this week, these temperatures are expected to build in waves and last until the middle of January. According to AccuWeather, more than 250 million people in more than 40 states will occasionally experience these freezing temperatures, struggle with an increase in energy consumption, and sustain damage from freezes.

A prolonged period of uncomfortable temperatures in the U.S.

According to Larson, the focus should be on how long the cold lasts rather than how severe it is. By that, what do I mean? In other words, we probably won’t even come close to breaking any low temperature records.

According to Larson, low temperature readings in January, the coldest month of the year, are usually only a few degrees above or below zero. According to the top meteorologist, temperatures won’t reach that level. Rather, locals should brace themselves for temperatures in the teens in the suburbs and around 20 degrees in NYC.

It’s the length of the cold that’s noteworthy, as it appears like the cold wave will endure for at least two weeks, which would see us through the first half of January, Larson said. To put it another way, it’s not a simple cold snap that lasts two or three days and then ends.

Larson noted that some days will be colder than others and that occasionally the cold will subside before being strengthened by a new cold front.

According to Larson, the typical low temperature in New York City during this time of year is about 29 degrees, while the average high temperature is 40 degrees.

Larson highlights the covering area in addition to the cold period’s constancy and relentlessness.

According to Larson, this will not be exclusive to the northeastern region of the nation. We’re talking about frigid, if not extremely cold, weather that extends from the Midwest to Texas in the south, then eastward into the southeastern states, and finally even into Florida. For a long time to come, temperatures will be below average almost everywhere east of the Rockies.

Bitter winds for a few days in a row will worsen the situation in New York City by increasing the wind chill, which will create for an uncomfortable weather pattern.

According to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok, this January may turn out to be the coldest one for the whole United States since 2011.

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• N.Y. weather: Arctic blast to bring bitterly cold air says forecaster; significant snow also expected for parts of state

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