A polar vortex is headed towards the US, unlikely to hit Utah
Dec 31, 2024, 2:00 PM
U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jamie Jasmon struggles through snow and below zero temperatures while delivering the mail on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. As in 2014, a whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended into much of the U.S. and plunged temperatures to record lows in 2019. (Seth Perlman, AP) U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jamie Jasmon struggles through snow and below zero temperatures while delivering the mail on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. As in 2014, a whirlpool of frigid, dense air known as a "polar vortex" descended into much of the U.S. and plunged temperatures to record lows in 2019.
(Seth Perlman, AP)
SALT LAKE CITY — Parts of the U.S. are bracing for a polar vortex. However, some Utahns may be disappointed that our state won’t get hit.
Utah will be largely protected from the brunt of the polar vortex and its expected record-breaking freezing temperatures. The continental divide acts as a buffer or blanket to protect us.
KSL Meteorologist Matt Johnson says Utahns get a little jealous about missing those big weather events.
“I think the average Utahn gets a little jealous, feels a little left out because I think we do like our extreme weather.”
But Johnson says it will feel a bit colder because of the vortex through the first half of January.
According to weatherspark.com, the average Salt Lake high temperature in December is 38 degrees, and 37 degrees in January.
This week however, looks unseasonably warm according to ksl.com with temperatures in the mid-40s and hitting 49 degreed by Friday afternoon.
