A quick drop in air pressure high in the sky will send a rush of cold air from the Arctic down over the United States. This icy air will bring a lot of snow and strong, cold winds that feel like Polar gales. This will cause weather warnings in many places.
The west coast is getting ready for a big drop in temperature while the east coast gets ready for Hurricane Rafael. High up, there will be a big drop in air pressure that will send a wave of cold air across the Pacific and central states, making those places much colder.
NOAA’s warnings
Weather Service has warned people in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Nebraska about winter storms. These places should get ready for winter weather that could be dangerous and a lot of snow.
A NOAA worker told them, “Get ready to dress warmly!” It is very cold in the West right now, and a front of cold air is moving through the Rockies and Southwest.
People in Montana all the way down to New Mexico are being warned about winter weather, including strong winds and winter storms.
“As very cold air from the Arctic moves in, temperatures will drop to the 30s and 40s (Fahrenheit) in the valleys. In the colder places, they could even drop to the single digits overnight.”
Fire alerts
Wildfires will spread through the dry, hot places further south because of strong winds caused by different air temperatures meeting.
There is a high chance of fires in California because NOAA has sent out “red flag” warnings. The winds are very dry, which can help fires spread fast.
The NOAA made it clear that there is a high chance of flames in southern California, especially in the area around Santa Clarita, where conditions are very bad.
Over the next few days, flames are more likely to happen because of strong winds and dry air. People in parts of coastal and central California are being warned about the higher risk of fire with red flags.
East Coast, ready for other hurricanes
The eastern coast is getting ready for another tropical storm at the same time. Hurricane Rafael is moving through the Gulf of Mexico.
It is likely to be worst in the Caribbean, but coastal states in the US are also on high watch.
For now, it looks like the storm could either move west across the Gulf or north toward Florida.
“Rafael will face a “fork in the road” on Thursday,” said AccuWeather analyst Jon Porter. It will either move west or get pulled north once it gets across Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico.
“It is much less likely to hit the U.S. if it goes west.” If it goes northwest, on the other hand, it could hit land anywhere from Louisiana to Florida.
The east and west will have very different weather because of a change in the jet stream and a weather front that cuts the country in half.
In the west this week, winter will come early and bring colder weather. In the meantime, tropical storms will still be going strong in the east.
A U.S. scientist named Jim Dale said, “This week it will feel very cold in some western states, with some places seeing temperatures drop below freezing.”
“Tall places could get frost and snow as low-pressure systems move in from the west.”
“A cold air mass will make it more likely for it to snow harder in the Rockies.”
How to prepare
Even though it is always smarter to wait to drive when it is raining, sometimes you have to go somewhere. Stay cool, drive slowly, and pay attention if you have to get behind the wheel. Plan for the worst but hope for the best.
Make sure your car has a backup bag. If you get stuck in a cold traffic jam or the roads are too icy and you have to pull over, having a phone battery charger, a bottle of water, high-calorie snacks (like nuts, protein bars, etc.), warm gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you safe while you wait for help.
Also, do not forget that electronics are very sensitive to too low of temperatures. A small number in Fahrenheit means that the battery in your phone or electric car will die much more quickly.
Keep your cell phone in one of your coat pockets, close to your body heat, in case you get lost. For that reason, you can stay in touch while you wait for help to arrive.