FRIGID FIGHT FOUGHT TILL FRIDAY

Submitted by ub on

Below-zero temperatures have pushed into the Northeastern region of the country. The  Polar Vortex has brought below-zero and possibly record-breaking cold weather not seen in many years to much of our entire nation.

Brutally cold weather looms for East Coast as icy conditions wreak havoc on U.S. Illinois and Indiana are seeing record breaking snow and sub zero temperatures.

Although some regions of the country may be used to dealing with the bitterly cold air which is felt over the eastern two thirds of the nation, many will find comfort in knowing the thermometer readings will slowly moderate through Wednesday.

Meanwhile, upper-level energy over the Pacific Northwest will move southeastward to the Central Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley by Wednesday. Weak onshore flow will produce rain and higher elevation snow over parts of the Pacific Northwest that will increase to light to moderate by Wednesday evening. Additionally, the energy will trigger light snow over parts of the Northern/Central Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Return flow around high pressure over the Central/Eastern Gulf Coast will stream moisture from the Gulf of Mexico over the Western Gulf Coast into the Middle Mississippi Valley, producing rain over Western Gulf Coast into parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday morning into evening.

Snow will also develop over parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley by Wednesday evening. Furthermore, an area of rain/freezing rain will develop over Eastern Oklahoma and Northwestern Arkansas on Wednesday evening.

NYC Forecast Today: Sunny and windy. Much colder with highs around 13. West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Wind chill values as low as 18 below.

Tonight: Clear and windy. Lows around 9 above. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph...diminishing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Wind chill values as low as 9 below.

Wednesday: Sunny. Cold with highs in the mid 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill values as low as 6 below in the morning.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature in the lower 20s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming north in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.

Friday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s.