---
title: "Polar vortex set to envelop much of US in freezing temperatures"
description: "A polar vortex is set to bring freezing temperatures across much of the U.S. starting Friday, with sub-zero wind chills expected in the Southern Plains and heavy snow forecasted for the Northeast. The"
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/225395636.md"
published_at: "2025-01-17T19:54:06.000Z"
---

# Polar vortex set to envelop much of US in freezing temperatures

> A polar vortex is set to bring freezing temperatures across much of the U.S. starting Friday, with sub-zero wind chills expected in the Southern Plains and heavy snow forecasted for the Northeast. The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening risks of hypothermia and frostbite. President-elect Donald Trump announced his inauguration will be held indoors due to the severe cold, with temperatures in Washington, D.C. expected to reach only 23 degrees. Southern states may also experience snow and ice from a separate storm beginning Monday night.

By Hannah Lang and Brendan O’Brien

Jan 17 (Reuters) - A blast of Arctic air is set to cover much of the United States with temperatures below freezing starting on Friday and into next week, impacting millions of Americans in nearly all of the contiguous states.

Temperatures will reach below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 C) in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, into the teens in the central Plains and Midwest and near 30 degrees in parts of the South on Saturday, before the front moves into the East Coast and the Southeast on Monday, the National Weather Service said.

Americans living as far south as the Southern Plains can expect to see sub-zero wind chills beginning Sunday night, said Zack Taylor, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

“That will actually linger for several days for much of the southern U.S., Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and the Northeast as we get into early to mid-next week,” he said.

The coldest weather of the season to date will be due to a phenomenon called a polar vortex, an upper-level jet stream that typically circulates around both the North and South Poles, but can push cold winds down into the U.S. and Canada when it weakens and expands.

The bitter cold temperatures will bring “life-threatening” risks of hypothermia and frostbite, the NWS warned.

President-elect Donald Trump said on Friday his inauguration will be held indoors on Monday because of severe cold. Temperatures are forecast to be only as high as 23 degrees on Monday in Washington, D.C., with wind chill set to make it feel even cooler.

States from Virginia up into New England could see heavy snow along with frigid temperatures, with Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston potentially receiving several inches of snow.

Southern states could also get snow and ice from a separate storm starting Monday night across portions of Texas that may spread as far south as the Gulf Coast, said Taylor.

“That’s something that we are keeping a close eye on, given the sensitivities of those not accustomed to winter weather and not used to those kind of situations,” he said.

### Related Stocks

- [SO.US - Southern](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SO.US.md)
- [ICE.US - Intercontinental Exchange](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ICE.US.md)
- [301596.CN - REACH](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/301596.CN.md)
- [OVBC.US - Ohio Valley Bancorp](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/OVBC.US.md)
- [SCI.US - Service Corporation International](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SCI.US.md)
- [PHUN.US - Phunware](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PHUN.US.md)
- [DJT.US - Trump Media & Tech](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DJT.US.md)

## Related News & Research

| Title | Description | URL |
|-------|-------------|-----|
| Southern Co Says Its Systems Served The Second Highest Winter Peak Electric Load Of Over 39,000 MW During Winter Storm Fern In January - Conf Call | Southern Co reported that its systems experienced the second highest winter peak electric load of over 39,000 MW during  | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276369318.md) |
| Benjamin Edwards Inc. Raises Stock Position in Southern Company (The) $SO | Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in Southern Company (NYSE: SO) by 29.6% in Q3, owning 194,448 shares valued at | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/271899361.md) |
| Georgia PSC Approves $16.3 Billion Southern Company Power Projects | The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a $16.3 billion settlement agreement for Southern Company's power project | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/270341090.md) |
| Bayesian Capital Management LP Acquires Shares of 27,300 Southern Company (The) $SO | Bayesian Capital Management LP acquired 27,300 shares of Southern Company (NYSE:SO) valued at approximately $2.5 million | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/269491610.md) |
| The Bull Case For Southern (SO) Could Change Following Strong Q3 Revenue and Earnings Beat | Southern Company reported strong Q3 earnings, with a 7.5% revenue increase and an 11.9% rise in adjusted EPS, despite un | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/268144903.md) |

---

> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.
