U.S. Medium-range Forecast
The extreme cold continues through next week for the Central and East U.S. In the extended-range the extreme cold breaks but cold adheres to the January snow cover.
Medium/extended-range Forecasts Trend Colder in the U.S.
Medium (and extended) range forecasts trend colder. The polar vortex produces the extreme chill through next week. Lingering cold caused by widening snow cover is the trend for the extended-range.
Is The Inactive Sun Causing The Evolving Super Cold?
The evolving extreme cold developing across the U.S. and likely to last 7-10 days was not caused by any particular climate diagnostic. However, a look at solar activity offers a possible link. Solar activity is currently entering the 11-year minima about 1 year faster than forecast. The last solar minima which was unusually strong and of long duration produced cold to very cold mid-latitude winter seasons.
U.S. Medium-range Temperature Forecast
The extreme cold is here and will last into next week. Peak cold in Chicago will be on New Year’s Day. The extended-range forecast indicates the extreme cold erodes.
Europe Remains Warm in the Latest Week 2-4 Outlook
Persistent mild North Atlantic influence maintains a somewhat milder than normal pattern across much of Europe and especially Western Russia well into January.
