The Polar Vortex Is About to Unleash Teeth-Chattering Cold Across the US
Freezing winter weather brings subzero Arctic temperatures to NFL games and Iowa caucus.
Crews work to remove snow from Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium ahead of the Republican primary presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 9.
Photographer: Rachel Mummey/BloombergThe polar vortex is about to unleash an Arctic chill across much of the US this weekend, leaving football fans shivering in the Midwest and inflicting subzero temperatures on Iowa voters just before the state’s caucus begins.
An area of cold air around the north pole, known as the polar vortex because of its counter-clockwise flow, is set to expand and push a frigid blast south. Kansas City, Missouri, will drop to -5F (-21C) Saturday as the hometown Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins in an NFL wild card playoff game, while Iowa City is expected to fall to -9F.