What is causing the severe winter storm in late January 2026?

The severe winter storm is linked to the southward stretch of the stratospheric polar vortex, which creates conditions for intense winter weather when interacting with the jet stream.

Can climate change lead to more severe winter storms?

Yes, while overall snow may decrease, research suggests that climate change may contribute to more intense winter storms, potentially increasing the likelihood of freezing rain and sleet.

What role does the polar vortex play in US winter storms?

The polar vortex, particularly when it stretches southward, can create ideal conditions for severe winter weather by influencing the jet stream and exaggerating its north-south swings.

Home / Weather / Arctic Vortex Unleashes Fury: US Faces Crippling Winter Storm

Arctic Vortex Unleashes Fury: US Faces Crippling Winter Storm

26 Jan

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Summary

A severe winter storm threatened states from Texas to New England in late January 2026.
The polar vortex's southward stretch created ideal conditions for severe winter weather.
Warming climate may contribute to more intense, though less frequent, winter storms.

Arctic Vortex Unleashes Fury: US Faces Crippling Winter Storm

A significant winter storm gripped the central and eastern U.S. in late January 2026, bringing freezing rain, sleet, and snow. The extreme weather prompted several governors to declare states of emergency as dangerous conditions and bitter cold were predicted to persist.

Scientists explain that this severe weather is linked to the polar vortex, a circulation of air around the North Pole. When the stratospheric polar vortex stretches southward, it can interact with the jet stream, exacerbating its dips and intensifying winter storms.

Despite overall global warming and decreasing snow amounts, research indicates that cold events, while rarer, may become more severe. Climate change potentially disrupts the polar vortex and increases atmospheric moisture, contributing to more intense storms. Additionally, warmer temperatures increase the likelihood of precipitation falling as freezing rain or sleet rather than snow.