Georgia Polar Vortex Forecast: Deep South Set for Deep Freeze

Forecasters are warning of a chilly January in Georgia, with the Arctic vortex pushing cold winds across parts of the country.

Why it matters

The polar vortex could lead to severe weather, with some forecast models indicating that parts of the system’s icy air could extend deep into the southern US, including Georgia, potentially disrupting daily life.

What to know

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Arctic vortex is a strong band of west-to-east winds that develops in the stratosphere, about 10 to 30 miles above the North Pole, during the winter season.

During the Northern Hemisphere winter, the polar vortex often expands, pushing cold air south along with the jet stream, the service said.

In a forecast from AccuWeather, shared with NewsweekSenior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin said the first half of January 2025 “has the potential to be remembered across the eastern half of the United States as a brutally cold stretch with sub-freezing temperatures all the way to the Gulf Coast, which is dangerous, especially on places that don’t typically experience freezing temperatures.”

“The Southeast has seen a run of Januarys with warmer than average or near historical average temperatures. January 2025 could end up being the coldest January since 2018 in this region.

“In an extreme scenario where the cold persists into mid-January, it could be the coldest January since 2014,” DePodwin added.

AccuWeather predicted that the ‘RealFeel’ temperature in Georgia for the period 8-10 January could feel as cold as between 10-20 degrees.

This is an equation that takes into account many different factors to determine what the temperature actually feels like outside, such as sun position and wind strength.

It also said there was a high risk of sub-freezing temperatures across the state next week.

Forecast data mapped by Pivotal Weather indicated that north and central Georgia had at least a 90 percent chance of below-average temperatures.

AccuWeather said that during the Jan. 3-12 period, the Peach State could see temperatures drop 10-20 degrees below the historical average.

What people say

Meteorologist Ben Noll wrote on X on December 29: “A lobe of the polar vortex is threatening to bring some seriously cold and possibly snowy weather to the US during the week of January 6th.

“Cool air will overtake almost the entire country.”

What happens next

Forecast models expect cold air to be pushed through much of the United States from early to mid-January.

The NWS has advised the public to check the forecast for their area on weather.gov to ensure they are properly dressed. The agency said that while there is no reason to be alarmed by news of the polar vortex, people should be prepared for colder temperatures.

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