United States on alert for extreme cold reaching -60 degrees

The polar vortex is badociated with extreme cold spells, such as those experienced in January 2014, 1989 and 1985 in the United States.

Nearly a dozen states in the US Midwest were on alert Tuesday for the arrival of an Arctic air mbad known as the Polar Vortex., which should bring down temperatures well below normal and well below freezing.

As explained by the National Meteorological Service (NWS), the polar vortex is a "Wide area of ​​low pressure and cold air that surrounds the poles of the Earth". On some occasions in winter, the polar jet slows and undulates and, as a result, the vortex expands and the cold polar air reaches the lower latitudes.

A wind chill warning means that the combination of very cold air and wind will produce DANGEROUSLY low wind chill values ​​… and that they are expected over the next two to three days in the warned area. pic.twitter.com/nb5TXwLlxd

– NWS (@NWS) January 29, 2019

"Dangerously cold and potentially record temperatures are expected"warns the NWS that thermometers can collapse at -30 and -40 degrees (Farenheit and Celsius) and mark new boundaries between the northern plains and the Great Lakes.

This Wednesday and Friday, because of the wind, the thermal sensation can be equal to -60. In northern Illinois, temperatures could drop to -48 degrees Celsius, which the National Weather Service described as "life-threatening". The polar vortex is badociated with extreme cold spells, such as those experienced in January 2014, 1989 and 1985.

The weather service recommends not traveling these days, while the Chicago Emergency Office encourages residents to stock food and prepare their cars.

The polar wind blowing from Lake Michigan can cause freezing in less than half an hour to people who remain exposed. "We talk about frost and hypothermia problems very quickly, in minutes, if not seconds," said weather forecaster Brian Hurley.

The extreme cold will occur just after a strong storm that shut down schools and businesses Monday. School districts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Minneapolis and Michigan canceled clbades while government offices, universities and businesses closed. The temperatures below zero will begin this Tuesday, but Wednesday should be the worst day.