Now that the winter months have passed in the Northern Hemisphere, it may seem like temperatures are already cold enough. However, a freezer, thanks to the polar vortex descending from Siberia is poised to deliver an even bigger Arctic blast for nearly 300 million Americans starting this weekend. Maps show where and when the cold front will arrive.
Map showing the temperature outlook for mid-January
The map shows below normal temperatures in the forecast for mid-January across much of the south and east. / Credit: CBS News
The polar vortex is a large area of cold air and low pressure that normally orbits over the North and South Poles. During the winter months and when the jet stream allows, this cold air can descend further to lower latitudes, such as in the United States. This is expected to happen this weekend.
Map showing highs on Saturday and wind chills
Starting Saturday, the polar vortex will begin to descend into the northern part of the US, dropping temperatures into the single digits. Wind chills will already dip into the negative teens for that region. Predicted temperatures will be 20-25 degrees below average for this time of year.
Map shows expected high temperatures and wind chills for Saturday, January 18, 2025. / Credit: CBS News
Map showing highs on Sunday and wind chills
On Sunday, the wind chills really start to hit, with temperatures dropping into the teens across the Central Plains. Wind chill temperatures will drop to minus 20 degrees in the Northern Plains and into the single digits in the Central Plains. dangerously cold conditions for those attending the NFL playoff games. Predicted temperatures will be 25-30 degrees below average for this time of year.
Map shows expected high temperatures and wind chills for Sunday, January 19, 2025. / Credit: CBS News
Map showing highs on Monday and wind chills
The polar vortex will reach the Deep South on Monday, bringing temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit in Atlanta. Wind chills will be in the low 20s. Across the RockiesPlains and Midwestsome areas will not reach the single digits.
At least 19 record cold high temperatures are expected from the plains to the east. Predicted temperatures will be 25-30 degrees below average for this time of year.
Map shows expected high temperatures and wind chills for Monday, January 20, 2025. / Credit: CBS News
Inauguration Day weather forecast for Washington, DC
For the presidential elections inauguration Skies in Washington, DC on Monday will be mostly sunny, with temperatures in the low 20s. Wind chills are forecast to be in the single digits.
Due to the extreme cold, newly elected President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the ceremony will take place indoorsin the Capitol Rotunda, instead of on the stage set up outside.
“There is an Arctic blast engulfing the country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I don't want people to get hurt in any way.”
This will be the coldest inauguration day in forty years. In 1985, it reached just 7 degrees during President Ronald Reagan's second swearing-in, prompting the ceremony to be moved indoors and the parade to be canceled.
Washington, DC will have freezing temperatures on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. /Credit: CBS News
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