See photos of arctic blast impacting the Midwest and Northeast
- - See photos of arctic blast impacting the Midwest and Northeast
Kate Perez, USA TODAY December 6, 2025 at 1:47 AM
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Arctic air and low temperatures are hitting parts of the United States this week, bringing freezing cold conditions to the north central, northern and eastern regions of the country.
Those cold temperatures could persist through the first half of the month, extending a December that has been filled with extreme winter weather so far, including snow that blanketed parts of the country.
"The outbreak this week will be the first of probably three such rounds with it. Another cold blast is likely next week and a third the week after that," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said on their website. "The waves of Arctic air will lead to significant surges in energy demands."
Sections of the Midwest received multiple inches of snow during Thanksgiving weekend before being ushered into the arctic air.
With the potential for more freezing temperatures on the way, here are photos of the cold that's already hit the United States.
See the impact of wintry cold across the US
1 / 6Polar vortex: The North Pole is sending a visitor and it isn’t SantaA woman walking down Purchase Street in New Bedford, Mass. battles the cold weather with full head protection on Dec. 3, 2025.
After slushy snow froze overnight, Bob Gerber, a bartender in Worcester, Massachusetts, used his shovel more as a pick axe than a scoop on Wednesday.
A massive, circular upper-air weather system called the polar vortex covers the North Pole. It's a normal Arctic weather pattern that tends to contain the coldest air, and can get stronger in the winter.
What is a polar vortex: How does it affect our weather?
The first week of December 2025 marks the first of three "shifting" polar vortexes this month, and is set to blast the northeast with frigid, Arctic air.
More forecasts: Will it be a white Christmas? Adjust your expectations.
Occasionally, a portion of the polar vortex may break off or drift south, bringing freezing weather to the continental United States. Normally, the jet stream locks the vortex in and keeps it there.
USA TODAY's Dinah Voyles Pulver contributed to this report.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos: See the arctic blast impacting the Midwest and Northeast
Source: “AOL Breaking”
