North America is in the grip of a record-setting cold spell that’s set to culminate with the arrival of a “bomb cyclone” along the eastern seaboard late Thursday. The cold front has delivered temperatures that haven’t been seen in decades.
Already, stories about the epic cold snap have proliferated online. As we pointed out yesterday, a group of good Samaritans helped rescue a dozen elk that had crashed trough a thin patch of river ice and were in danger of freezing to death, or drowning. At the time, temperatures were below freezing across a staggering 92% of the US, with temperatures more than 20 degrees lower than their seasonal averages for this time of year.
Winter Storm Grayson, a very large and powerful winter storm is threatening the East Coast of the United States with heavy snow, intense winds, and record-setting low temperatures. Winter storm watches and warnings have been issued for many coastal regions in north Florida to Maine from Wednesday into late Thursday.
This week's storm may end up being worse than your average nor’easter. That’s because meteorologists say it could produce a “bomb cyclone,” otherwise known as a bombogenesis, a phenomenon that occurs when a system’s central pressure drops steeply – by 24 millibars or more - in 24 hours.
If current computer models hold, that’ll start to happen somewhere off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and continue as the storm moves north. Hurricane-force wind warnings have been posted off the coast where ships could encounter winds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour and waves as high as 26 feet on Thursday.
Already, the unusual weather patterns are causing all sorts of strange phenomena around the country. According to the New York Times, it’s too cold for many zoo penguins, which have been taken inside as a precaution ahead of the storm. Meanwhile, sharks have washed up dead on the Atlantic coast.
The cold weather, which has been blamed for a handful of deaths, is expected to continue at least into the weekend, with temperatures most likely remaining below average and possibly setting records, according to Bob Oravec, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Md.
The chill is the result of a jet stream that is shuttling arctic air from northwest Canada to the eastern United States and relief is, at best, days away, Oravec said.
“We’re stuck right now in a very wintry pattern,” he said.
Here are a few ways in which the cold snap is affecting the country, courtesy of the New York Times:
* * *
Records Are Being Set
As revelers marked the end of 2017 in Times Square, the temperature reached 9 degrees, making the New Year’s Eve celebration there the coldest since 1917.
On the first day of 2018, a number of records were set. The temperature in Portland, Me., reached minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 27 Celsius), beating a record set more than six decades ago. Aberdeen, S.D., saw a high of minus 9, beating a record set in 1928. And, in Alma, Fla., the high temperature was 42, matching a record set in 1964.
Sights Are Transformed
No, Niagara Falls isn’t freezing over. The current is too fast for that to happen, no matter how cold it gets.
But the sustained cold spell has created a scene that would fit snugly in Disney’s “Frozen.” The mist drifting off the falls is freezing on contact with all it touches, coating tree branches, benches and railings with a solid layer of ice.
“Typically you will see this on a day or two on a much smaller scale, but at this point this cold snap has lasted for so many days, the ice is building thicker and thicker as these days continue,” said Andrea Czopp, a spokeswoman for Destination Niagara USA.
Sharks Are Dying
In New England, officials have found several sharks frozen on the shore, their deaths possibly accelerated by the chill.
“If you’ve got cold air, that’ll freeze their gills up very quickly,” Greg Skomal, a marine scientist for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, told The New York Times. “Those gill filaments are very sensitive and it wouldn’t take long for the shark to die.”
The sharks may have gotten trapped in the waters by Cape Cod as they tried to migrate south, Mr. Skomal said.
Penguins Are At Risk
In Canada, officials at the Calgary Zoo brought their king penguins in from an outdoor enclosure last week after temperatures fell below minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 25 Celsius).
The penguins spend most of each winter outdoors, though they are often brought inside for short stretches as a precaution, a zoo curator, Malu Celli, told The Canadian Press.
“It’s not necessarily that it’s too cold for them,” she said. “I believe that physiologically, they can withstand colder weather than what we have here, but these are not wild birds.”
But for denizens of the Internet looking for something fresh to distract them, well, there’s at least one silver lining. The cold temps have afforded ample opportunities for making new memes – like this bubble sculpture.
Saving this one 😉 https://t.co/2O4I2R2f9k
— Chris Ratzlaff (@ratzlaff) January 3, 2018
Temperatures across North America are expected to decline today and tomorrow. The worst of the cold weather is expected to pass by end of day Sunday.
Comments
This is the left's true religion.....
It's just like that movie that they made, guys...it's all coming true...
fuuuuck off. Wear a coat and stop being a pussy.
In reply to This is the left's true… by Stan522
"In searching for a common enemy against whom we can unite, we came up with the idea that pollution, the threat of global warming, water shortages, famine and the like, would fit the bill. In their totality and their interactions these phenomena do constitute a common threat which must be confronted by everyone together. But in designating these dangers as the enemy, we fall into the trap, which we have already warned readers about, namely mistaking symptoms for causes. All these dangers are caused by human intervention in natural processes, and it is only through changed attitudes and behaviour that they can be overcome. The real enemy then is humanity itself." <<Aurelio Peccei,Club of Rome: The First Global Revolution>> 1991
In reply to It's just like that movie… by Killtruck
Trump's fault...Global Colding
sarc off
In reply to "In searching for a common… by HenryKissinger…
I thought "Bombogenesis" is what happened after Peter Gabriel quit.
In reply to Trump's fault...Global… by y3maxx
YEP YEP, AL GHORE GLOBAL WARMING meme ...
In reply to I thought "Bombogenesis" is… by Big Corked Boots
.Gov vs theWeather
This is particularly interesting to you all on the East Coast.
https://youtu.be/ENupj68lpM0?t=275
In reply to YEP YEP, AL GHORE GLOBAL… by BaBaBouy
Algore promised me Global Warming® (since rebranded Climate Change®, since rebranded CO2 pollution®, since rebranded Climate Disruption®).
That lying a$$hole.
I want my warm climate!
In reply to .Gov vs theWeather… by John Kerry-Heinz
AlGoreaphobia
It has an nice ring to it, no?
In reply to Algore promised me Global… by Gap Admirer
My liberal friend told me this is "weather". It is only "climate change" when it is hot.
In reply to Algore promised me Global… by Gap Admirer
The planes were out in full force chem-trailing this week in NC. On New Years day, in Raleigh, trails were going NE to SW.
In Wilmington, NC, trails were E to W which was a rarity. Our trails are almost always along the shore (NE to SW). It appears that they were steering/exacerbating it.
In reply to .Gov vs theWeather… by John Kerry-Heinz
Ookaay. The article says the the coldpocalypse ends pretty abruptly on Sunday. According to rea weather specialists, who pay little to no attention to contrail patterns in making their predictions.
In reply to The planes were out in full… by killallthefiat
Have "Russian hackers" been blamed yet? (/sarc)
In reply to Ookaay. The article says… by TBT or not TBT
This video outlines the facts that point to much more cooling ahead. Better move to the south.
https://youtu.be/w4hbKF5-qUE
In reply to Have "Russian hackers" been… by Klassenfeind
It's 62F on my porch now. So I'm doing that part right.
In reply to This video outlines the… by IH8OBAMA
First, it was Global Warming.
Now, it's DEEP FREEZE.
Jeez, them Puzzled Scientists. http://wp.me/p4OZ4v-2M
In reply to Ookaay. The article says… by TBT or not TBT
Same M O in the Midwest. -18F yesterday morning @ 7am. Temp gauge is on the north side of the house. I even took a pic, as impressive as it was.
See the link, posted above. It shows how many years in the past that .Gov has had this type of control.
In reply to The planes were out in full… by killallthefiat
It was the chem trails again! I should have put it together...LOL!
On a serious note, during the Battle of Moscow and again during the Battle of the Bulge temperatures were equally as cold and there were millions of combatants in the field. This is a piece of cake...
In reply to The planes were out in full… by killallthefiat
All you have to do is look up, or continue to keep your head down and looking at the ground. When you do decide to lookup and pay some attention, ponder how all them contrails run clear across the entire sky and form grid patterns that become complete overcast. Then on others days there are none, I suppose all dem jets must be grounded on dem der daze. Well my gosh, how can that be. Welcome to Twilight Zone, we are here to welcome you to the bizarro world of perverse lies and deceit that is .Gov
Do not eat, consume, or allow to come into contact with your ears the substance that is Government Cheese, just say NO.
In reply to It was the chem trails again… by 1777
The key word being were
In reply to It was the chem trails again… by 1777
Al Gore responds: "I have the heat on, and it's pretty warm in my little world. I say it would be even colder if not for global warming."
In reply to YEP YEP, AL GHORE GLOBAL… by BaBaBouy
In related headlines: "Seal Pandemonium as Shark Die-Off Leads to Widespread Growling, Snorting"
In reply to Al Gore responds: "I have… by Cry Baby Moe
I thought they bombed with "Lamb lies down on Broadway" but that's just an opinion.
In reply to I thought "Bombogenesis" is… by Big Corked Boots
Oh, come on. Peter Gabriel was still the lead singer then. You have to mark Genesis' time of death sometime later in the Phil Collins years, surely. And even those albums were damned good, most of them.
In reply to I thought they bombed with … by Ralph Spoilsport
Home By The Sea-Live.
In reply to Oh, come on. Peter Gabriel… by NoDebt
+1
In reply to I thought "Bombogenesis" is… by Big Corked Boots
BIMBOgenesis
In reply to I thought "Bombogenesis" is… by Big Corked Boots
Gummint should give me a V8,unlimited petrol and a license to go fast. That way I can combat Global Colding and make it warm again.
In reply to Trump's fault...Global… by y3maxx
American Colding. Here in Europe we still have warming. Possibly because we have no Trump :P
In reply to Trump's fault...Global… by y3maxx
I-95 shut down in south GA ( Brunswick). Savannah/Hilton Head airport closed. Snow almost as far south as Gainesville FL.
South GA radar
https://twitter.com/ChrisCBS4/status/948558973736816640
I-16 outside of Savannah:
https://twitter.com/BMonahanWSB/status/948564630150045697
#GAWX for updates & for those who want to laugh at us Southerners in the snow & ice.
In reply to It's just like that movie… by Killtruck
As of 1/3/18, 1:00PM...
No snow in Gainesville, FL nor 15 miles North of Gainesville, FL.
I saw the radar and looked out the window. 2 different worlds.
No snow, no sleet, just rain.
The dogs are sleeping, fire is burning and all is normal in the world.
In reply to I-95 shut down in south GA (… by Whoa Dammit
Good thing. Years back I was hitchhiking down Florida and it snowed. I decided to have lunch in a roadside diner. One traffic light in the whole town. That's all it took.
Car after car after car started piling up.
The amazing thing to me wasn't the fact that they didn't know how to drive in snow, it was the fact that THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY DIDN'T KNOW. So it was full speed ahead until their first tap on the brakes.
A wise man once told me there's no such thing as common sense but there most certainly is common stupid.
In reply to As of 1/3/18, 1:00PM… by Donate Moar
Already 2" of snow outside Charleston. Laika the pup is enjoying her first snowstorm.
In reply to I-95 shut down in south GA (… by Whoa Dammit
Speaking of coats. I have a few heavy ones that I bought back in the 80's when it regularly got this cold. Haven't worn them in years because they were too hot!
The doom porn never ends.
In reply to It's just like that movie… by Killtruck
"Global warming mmmmmmkay? pay me." -Al Gore
In reply to This is the left's true… by Stan522
Take Obama's Nobel Prize and give it to Al Gore.
In reply to "Global warming mmmmmmkay?… by AllTimeWhys
Algoremanbearpig: "By 2017, the North Pole will be ice-free all year! Buy my book!"
"Meanwhile, I need everyone to conserve electricity so the Algoremanbearpig compound in Tennessee can use more for our scientific experiments."
In reply to "Global warming mmmmmmkay?… by AllTimeWhys
Uncle
The GOVT has made it's point. They control things.
In reply to This is the left's true… by Stan522
Climate change bitchez!
That's right.
The climate's always changing.
In reply to Uncle… by JRobby
Climate is directly related to solar activity.
So GOVT'S, in need of increasing tax revenues to pilfer to bolster their controller's personal wealth, completely ignore real science and pay scientists to come up with a scenario that they can tax.
As far as solar activity goes for the immediate future, get used to the cold.
In reply to … by BennyBoy
Penguins are saying why can't we stay outside?
In reply to Climate is directly related… by JRobby
Penguins have been around for thousands of years. I doubt they will mind the fun winter weather.
In reply to Penguins are saying why can… by peddling-fiction
This is the thinning to the herd. We should embrace this with open arms...as I put another log in the stove.
In reply to Climate is directly related… by JRobby
It's very scary! I need a safe space! I have noticed each June it is hot, and in each January it is cold! Climate change does exist! There is no doubt!
Animal life consumes oxygen and emits CO2!
Trees consume CO2 and emit Oxgen!
It flies in the face of known Science!
Photosynthesis is a Corporate Plot!
In reply to … by BennyBoy
Denialtards:
'It's warm in summer, imagine that...'
'It's cold at New Year, must be GLOBAL COOLING!'
In reply to This is the left's true… by Stan522
Is al gore your God and when you kneel down before him, is your mouth open dick sucker?
In reply to Denialtards:… by general ambivalent
You're just mad your buddies can't prance around in thongs this week.
In reply to Denialtards:… by general ambivalent
I can't wait to sit and watch as the global warming fanatics have a complete implosion as we enter the coming mini ice-age over the next decade. Just watch, they will blame the freezing temperatures on "carbon emissions" or some other related bullshit . . . it's all about the money.
In reply to This is the left's true… by Stan522
They are wandering the streets in FL in full winter dress in a state of shock!!!! Eyes glazed over, lips trembling.
It's going to be in the 20's and 30's tonight!!!
In reply to I can't wait to sit and… by Dickweed Wang
THE WINDY CITY TEMPERATURE CONVERSION CHART
60° F: Arizonans shiver uncontrollably; people in Chicago are still sunbathing.
50° F: Californians try to turn on the heat; people in Chicago plant gardens.
40° F: Italian sports cars won’t start; people in Chicago drive with the windows down.
32° F: Distilled water freezes; Lake Michigan water gets thicker.
20° F: Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves and wool hats; people in Chicago throw on a light jacket.
15° F: People in Chicago have the last cookout before it gets cold.
0° F: All the people in Phoenix die. Chicagoans close the windows.
10° below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico . The Girl Scouts in Chicago are selling cookies door to door.
25° below zero: Hollywood disintegrates; people in Chicago get out their winter coats.
40° below zero: Washington, DC runs out of hot air; people in Chicago let the dogs sleep indoors.
100° below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Chicagoans get frustrated because they can’t start ‘DA car.’
460° below zero: All atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale); people in Chicago start saying, ‘cold ’nuff for ya?’
500° below zero: Hell freezes over. The Cubs win the World Series
In reply to They are wandering the… by JRobby
Pagination