The Polar Vortex has weakened due to a sudden stratospheric warming event, resulting in predictions of frigid temperatures across the Northeast. This phenomenon occurs when temperatures in the Arctic stratosphere rapidly increase, causing the polar vortex—a ring of high-altitude winds—to weaken or split. As a result, frigid Arctic air is expected to surge southward into North America and Europe. AccuWeather forecasts freezing temperatures for the Northeast this weekend and into February, with an Arctic front bringing more snow and cold conditions to the Great Lakes and Northeast later this week.