Polar Vortex, Arctic Blast To Freeze GA: See Timing

A polar vortex is expected to push Arctic air into the East Coast by early next week, possibly chilling Georgia temperatures into the teens, forecasters say.

The polar vortex — "a large upper-level, low-pressure area or circulation" that sits above the Arctic Circle — could travel from central Canada into the Midwest and the East Coast, AccuWeather reported.

A frail polar vortex can force cold air to move south, but the freezing air stays in the Northern Hemisphere with a stronger version of the storm, according to AccuWeather.

"The polar vortex has been in a weakened and stretched state since late November," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in the report. "We are seeing the result as Arctic air pushes southward across the central and eastern U.S. in recent days and may continue to do so for the next couple of weeks or so in waves."

While forecasters predicted multiple cold waves could arrive in mid-December in the U.S., the Arctic air could come by Monday along the East Coast.

In Georgia, the National Weather Service warned of the uncertainty with the high-pressure system.

The NWS' Peachtree City office said Georgians could start feeling cold air on Friday evening.

By Saturday and Sunday, temperatures could plummet into the teens and 20s on both mornings. This may stretch into Monday, according to the NWS.

High temperatures will not be much warmer, but may reach the 30s and 40s on Saturday.

AccuWeather reported the additional chance of impending rain for all of Georgia.

"The fast movement of the waves of cold air will generally prevent giant snowstorms from developing," Pastelok said. "However, the best chance for a rapidly intensifying storm on the East Coast would be around Dec. 12 or so, as an Alberta clipper storm may slow down just enough as it reaches the Atlantic to grab extra moisture."

He noted temperatures may not be as cold come Christmas week.

Here is the National Weather Service's Monday afternoon forecast for metro Atlanta:

This Afternoon: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Northwest wind 10-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 5-10 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Southwest wind 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 47.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.