Polar vortex set to invade Canada and the U.S. with dangerous cold

Winnipeg: So, there’s a big Arctic blast coming our way, and it’s going to be a doozy! This is one of the most intense cold snaps we’ve seen since 2014.

Basically, an air mass from Siberia is going to sweep down across the Prairies and all the way to northern Mexico. It’ll then push east to Florida and the Atlantic by early next week.

Next week, expect much colder-than-normal temps across North America, especially east of the Rockies. The Prairies and northern Ontario are in for some serious chill, with wind chills hitting the -40s!

Now, while this isn’t the coldest we’ve seen in a decade, it’s pretty wild to have so much of North America experiencing such extreme cold for five days straight.

As I mentioned, this polar vortex is going to be one of the most widespread Arctic air outbreaks in a long time. A ridge in Alaska is pushing the polar vortex down over almost all of North America.

Dangerous cold is on the way for the Prairies and parts of Ontario, with temps dropping into the -30s to -40s this Saturday and Sunday. If you’re heading outside, be careful! Frostbite and hypothermia are real risks if you’re not bundled up.

Sunday and Monday are set to be the coldest days of the season for southern and eastern Ontario, plus much of Quebec. Overnight temps could hit -20 in Ottawa and Montreal, with brutal wind chills to match.

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is looking at lows around -18 C on Monday night, and wind chills will make it feel even colder.

Down south, nearly 47 states are bracing for below-normal temps. Daytime highs in the U.S. Midwest, Northern Plains, and Great Lakes could drop into the -20s and 30s this weekend.

By Monday, we might even see below-freezing temps reach the Gulf Coast, including places like Houston and New Orleans. It’s going to be -10 to -15 C below what we usually expect this time of year, and more cold air is on the way!

Stay warm out there!