A polar vortex is slated to sweep most of the continental US bringing winter storm warnings and a hazardous freeze to millions.

Snow and winds are likely to trigger flight cancellations and cause headaches for people traveling to DC for Inauguration Day.

The polar vortex is a ring of cold air that typically circles the Arctic. A strong jet stream essentially acts like a fence, keeping it locked there. If there's any weakening in the jet stream (the fence), the frigid air can become unstable and spill out. This sends the normally trapped cold air much farther south.

The most unusually cold air in the Northern Hemisphere will be over the United States early next week, bringing dangerously frigid conditions.

A polar vortex is currently hitting the United States, with schools closed in many areas and at least four deaths caused by treacherous conditions.

A series of cold fronts the last few weeks has kept Florida downright chilly, as another winter storm starts to take aim this weekend

Americans were bracing Thursday for frigid temperatures that forecasters said could produce life-threatening conditions, with Donald Trump's inauguration expected to be the coldest in 40 years.

Despite a cold start to the day, most of the U.S. will experience seasonably mild temperatures on Thursday. However, dangerous changes are on the way as a polar vortex tightens its grip on the nation as sends temperatures tumbling below freezing starting this weekend.

A series of disturbances in the atmosphere is sending the polar vortex south (again) next week with a burst of even colder Arctic air than last week.

The bitter weather is expected to bring nighttime lows as cold as minus 31 deg C over the weekend. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Donald Trump delivered his first inaugural address amid light rain showers in 2017. Snow flurries gave way to breaks in the clouds for Joe Biden’s 2021 swearing-in. Trump’s second inauguration in 2025 will be held indoors due to the brutally cold conditions predicted in Washington.