Weather
Polar Vortex Brings Life-Threatening Cold To NYC Area
This prolonged cold snap could put people at risk for hypothermia or frostbite, officials said.
NEW YORK CITY — New York City is expected to be frigid this week with consistent temperatures below freezing as a polar vortex impacts the region, forecasters said.
Daily highs are expected to stay in the mid-20s this week, rising only to 32 degrees on Saturday, with wind chill values in the single digits, forecasters from the National Weather Service predict.
New York City Emergency Management Department said on Tuesday this prolonged cold snap could put people at risk for hypothermia or frostbite and lead to poorly insulated pipes bursting.
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The bitter cold is the result of a polar vortex, which is an area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds the North Pole, forecasters said. During the winter, a polar vortex can push further south, impacting the 50 states.
This time around, the polar vortex is swooping down across the country, impacting midwest and southern states as well as the whole northeast, Accuweather meteorologists said.
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“The cold air will have wide-reaching impacts on everyday life and the economy, such as stressed power grids due to increased heating demands, closed schools, health impacts and dangerous AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor said.
Here is the latest forecast for New York City from the National Weather Service.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 20. Wind chill values between 5 and 10 degrees. West wind blows up to 8 miles per hour.
Tuesday night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 14. Wind chill values between 5 and 10 degrees. Northwest wind blows up to 9 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny and cold, with a high near 20. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northwest wind blows up to 8 mph.
Wednesday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. Southwest wind blows up to 5 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Southwest wind blows up to 6 mph.
Thursday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 20.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 30.
Friday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 32.
Saturday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.
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