Record Temperatures
How is the polar vortex affecting the United States?
The polar vortex is causing extreme cold conditions across the United States, pushing temperatures down to dangerous levels that extend as far south as the Mexico border. More than 87 million people across 22 states are under extreme cold advisories, with temperatures plunging significantly below normal levels. In Fort Worth, Texas, temperatures have dropped to 19 degrees, with wind chills feeling as low as minus 2 degrees, creating hazardous conditions in a region unaccustomed to such extreme cold. This unusual weather pattern is expected to be temporary, with forecasts indicating a return to milder temperatures in the 70s by next week.
Watch clip answer (00:11m)
CBS News
00:00 - 00:12
How severe is the polar vortex affecting the United States?
The polar vortex is causing extreme and dangerous weather conditions across 22 states, affecting over 87 million people. Wind chills in Montana plunged to a staggering minus 64 degrees on Tuesday, while a major winter storm is impacting southern regions with snow and sleet. The severe conditions have reached as far south as the Mexico border, with normally warmer areas like Fort Worth, Texas experiencing temperatures as low as 19 degrees. The sudden weather shift has led to treacherous road conditions, resulting in highway crashes in states like Arkansas, demonstrating the widespread impact of this extreme cold weather event.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)CBS News
00:12 - 00:25
How significant was the temperature change in Fort Worth, Texas?
The temperature change in Fort Worth was remarkably drastic, dropping 40 degrees in just one day. As CBS anchor Ken Molestina reports, this sudden shift forced him to Google how to properly tie a scarf due to the unexpected cold weather conditions. The temperature plummeted to 19 degrees, affecting not just Texas but over 87 million people across the United States. This extreme weather event brought severe conditions, with wind chills reaching as low as minus 64 degrees in Montana, highlighting the significant and abrupt nature of this winter weather system.
Watch clip answer (00:15m)CBS News
00:47 - 01:02
When will the extreme cold temperatures in North Texas end?
The severe cold snap affecting North Texas is expected to last only another day or so before temperatures return to normal. The polar vortex that has plummeted temperatures to 19 degrees and created dangerous wind chills across 22 states will be short-lived. According to the report, temperatures will soon normalize and by next week, residents can expect a dramatic warming trend with temperatures rising back into the 70s. This significant weather shift will provide welcome relief to the 87 million people impacted by this rare freeze event.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)CBS News
01:42 - 01:52
Is 19 degrees normal for winter temperatures in Fort Worth, Texas?
According to CBS News Texas anchor Ken Molestina, 19 degrees is absolutely not normal for the Fort Worth area. The anchor reporting from Fort Worth confirms this unusually extreme cold is part of a larger weather system, with over 87 million people under extreme cold advisories due to a polar vortex. The severity of this cold snap is highlighted by the dramatic temperature drop - just a day earlier, temperatures were 40 degrees warmer. This Arctic blast has brought dangerously low wind chills across multiple states, reaching as low as minus 64 degrees in Montana, making this winter storm particularly notable for southern states like Texas where such extreme cold is rare.
Watch clip answer (00:19m)
CBS News
00:25 - 00:44
How severe is the current winter weather across the United States?
The current winter weather is extremely severe, with wind chills in Montana plummeting to a dangerous -64 degrees on Tuesday. A major winter storm is affecting the southern United States, bringing snow and sleet to multiple areas and creating hazardous driving conditions that have already led to highway crashes in states like Arkansas. The widespread impact of this polar vortex has placed over 87 million people across 22 states under extreme cold advisories, with Texas experiencing temperatures as low as 19 degrees - a dramatic 40-degree drop from the previous day.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)CBS News
00:12 - 00:25