Polar vortex brings brutally cold weather to NYC: Is relief on the way?

NEW YORK CITY - Winter is making its presence known this week in New York City, as the polar vortex is bringing brutally cold temperatures to the Tri-State area.

JUMP TO: POLAR VORTEX l TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK

Cold Weather Advisories remain in effect for much of the region.

This graphic shows the cold weather in effect for much of the nation. (FOX Weather)

Here's what you need to know about the weather for the rest of the week:

Polar vortex 2025: What is it?

Big picture view:

The polar vortex is a strong area of low pressure located near the North Pole. It's a permanent feature of the Earth's atmosphere.

While it's weaker in the summer and stronger in the winter, disruptions to the vortex can send freezing Arctic air southward into the United States.

The disruptions result in Arctic air sweeping across the country, causing extreme cold temperatures, high winds and wintry weather. 

Outbreaks can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how long it takes for the vortex to stabilize and push the frigid air back north.

Local perspective:

During a polar vortex event, dangerous wind chills, hard freezes and damage to sensitive crops are common. The last significant polar vortex to hit the Tri-State area occurred in January 2019, with single-digit temperatures recorded in Central Park and wind chills below zero. 

What is the weather today?

What we know:

Temperatures are expected to remain frigid through the end of the week, but the weekend could see a little reprieve:

People walk in midtown Manhattan during freezing cold temperatures in New York City on January 8, 2025. Frigid temperatures across a large US area complicated efforts at restoring power and clearing roads after a major winter storm plowed through the

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• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 21.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 31.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 31.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.

What they're saying:

"Artic air encompassing the eastern two-thirds of the United States will persist with a slow return to normal temperatures expected by the end of the week," the NOAA NWS Weather Prediction Center said in a post on Facebook.

"Sub-zero wind chills will continue from the central Plains eastward across the Ohio Valley, and eastward to include the northern Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. through Friday," the agency said.

What you can do:

The NOAA NWS Weather Prediction Center offered these cold weather safety tips:

• Protect pets, livestock, and exposed plumbing to avoid over-exposure to the cold.
• Adjust your schedule to avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day.
• Have a cold weather survival kit if traveling, and fill up fuel tanks/batteries so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.

What's next:

Next week should see a little bit of a rebound, with temperatures on Monday and Tuesday expected to be in the high-30s.