How the polar vortex and warm ocean intensified a major US winter storm

The atmosphere is a complicated place. Warm temperatures in one spot can contribute to brutally cold storms somewhere else.

By: Mathew Barlow, UMass Lowell and Judah Cohen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 24, 2026

Words: 1,177

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

By Mathew Barlow, UMass Lowell and Judah Cohen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

A severe winter storm that brought crippling freezing rain, sleet and snow to a large part of the U.S. in late January 2026 left a mess in states from New Mexico to New England. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power across the South as ice pulled down tree branches and power lines, more than a foot of snow fell …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.