Arctic Outbreak Brings Severe Cold to North America as New Year Begins

An Arctic cold outbreak is forecasted to bring severe temperatures to Eastern Canada and the eastern United States as the New Year begins, with cold air masses from Siberia resulting in conditions below seasonal averages and potential hazards across the regions.

As the New Year begins, North America is bracing for a significant drop in temperatures, characterized by an Arctic outbreak originating from Siberia. This extreme cold is expected to push temperatures in Eastern Canada and the eastern United States below normal thresholds. The U.S. National Weather Service and Climate Prediction Center report that this influx of frigid air leads to chilling conditions across various regions, as the cold air travels from the North Pole, across Alaska, and into the northern U.S.

The Kitikmeot communities currently face severe cold, experiencing temperatures dipping below -30 degrees Celsius with wind chills reaching an astonishing -50 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Iqaluit, which had previously been enjoying mild weather conditions, will see the temperature drop to -17 degrees Celsius by January 8. Eastern Canada’s temperatures are also falling, diminishing from -1 degrees Celsius on January 2 to a high of -11 degrees Celsius on January 5. This chill is not unusually cold for these areas but represents a noticeable shift towards winter temperatures.

However, the eastern U.S. will experience more severe impacts, with temperatures dropping considerably below seasonal averages. In Philadelphia, the mercury is expected to fall to below -17 degrees Celsius for the first time in over two decades, while Washington, D.C., anticipates similar lows for the first time since 2019. The meteorological community reassures that conditions are likely to warm by the end of the following week.

Brian Proctor, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, emphasized that although Arctic outbreaks are typical during this season, the 2019 event stands out in memory due to its severe impact, which resulted in over 20 fatalities and significant travel disruptions caused by wind chills exceeding -49 degrees Celsius. Environment Canada continues to monitor the situation closely as it develops.

This article highlights an impending Arctic outbreak across North America marking the beginning of the New Year. Such outbreaks are caused by cold air masses from Siberia, which travel across the North Pole into Eastern Canada and the U.S., leading to notable temperature declines. The phenomenon is not atypical for this time of year, yet it raises concerns regarding its potential hazards, historical severity, and weather-related impacts on daily life.

In summary, the onset of 2023 is marked by a severe Arctic cold wave affecting much of North America, particularly Eastern Canada and the eastern U.S. Though such Arctic outbreaks are consistent with winter weather patterns, this particular event serves as a stark reminder of the extreme cold that can impact health and safety. Observers will be keen to note temperature fluctuations in the following days as the weather evolves.

Original Source: nunatsiaq.com