Northeast Braces for Weekend Winter Storm as Polar Vortex Intensifies

BOSTON — A powerful winter storm, named Garnett by The Weather Channel, is expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerous travel conditions to the Northeast U.S. over the weekend, exacerbated by an active Polar Vortex. The storm, part of a series of winter systems impacting the region, will affect areas from the Great Lakes to New England beginning Sunday morning.

As of Sunday, winter storm warnings remain in effect for southern New England and eastern New York, with heavy snow and ice expected to create hazardous road conditions. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Montana have already received over a foot of snow, while areas in the Dakotas, northern Wisconsin, and Minneapolis reported 5-12 inches and 3-6 inches, respectively. By Sunday morning, some areas in the Northeast, such as Lake Desolation, New York, and Cumberland, Maine, had accumulated up to 9 inches of snow.

The Polar Vortex, a intense circulation of cold air above the Northern Hemisphere, has been a key driver of the extreme winter weather. Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist at weather.com, noted, ‘The southern lobe of the Polar Vortex has shifted over North America, triggering a series of powerful winter storms. This pattern is expected to persist into mid-February, with additional snow and ice events forecasted.’

Two more rounds of snow and ice are anticipated in the upcoming week, with the first affecting the Plains, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast from Monday to Wednesday. A second system will impact the Front Range of the Rockies, mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and Northeast from late Tuesday through Thursday. Both systems could bring significant disruptions, including heavy snowfall and freezing rain.

Travelers are advised to monitor weather conditions closely, as road closures and flight cancellations are expected. Department of Transportation officials across the affected states have urged residents to stay off roads and prepare for power outages. The storm system is forecast to move into Nova Scotia by Monday, but its effects will linger as another winter storm is expected to develop later this week.

The ongoing weather pattern has already brought historic cold to Siberia, with temperatures plummeting below -65°F in January. The contrast between Arctic air in the north and warmer conditions in the southern U.S. has created a sharp temperature gradient, fueling the intense storms. Meteorologists warn that the active Polar Vortex could lead to further extreme weather events in the coming weeks.