Polar Vortex Could Mean Brutal Cold Snap in Parts of the US

File—People arriving at the Capitol Building in Washington, on Dec. 10, 2013, as snow falls. Some climate experts say polar vortex disruption could bring unusually foul weather to parts of the United States. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo

Some weather experts say a polar vortex disruption could hit the United States and Canada by the end of this month or in January, bringing with it exceptionally low temperatures and unusual weather.

Judah Cohen, a climate expert at Atmospheric and Environmental Research, wrote in a Dec. 17 post titled “Arctic Oscillation and Polar Vortex Analysis and Forecasts” that the latest studies show there is a chance arctic air could push southward and in coming weeks grip much of the Northern Hemisphere in a brutal cold spell.