COLDPOCALYPSE - Record-shattering cold to freeze most of U.S., severe storms probable

Frigid air from Alaska is expected to drop into continental U.S., shatter records.

The United States is about to be hammered with record-shattering cold. A super-frigid airmass has developed over Alaska and will drop down into the lower 48 states next week. The exceptional cold is likely to break records, drop snow, and spawn violent storms.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Alaska has enjoyed the warmest summer and fall on record, but this is about to end. The coldest air in two years has settled over the state dropping temperatures in Fairbanks to 31 degrees below zero. Bettles, Alaska reported 53 degrees below zero.

This is the first time since December that Alaska has had temperatures below normal. Since January, the state has seen temperatures that were between five and ten degrees above average.

The reason for the exceptional weather is likely to be attributed to global climate change, although it is virtually impossible to attach any single weather anomaly to global warming. Scientists predict that as more energy from the sun is trapped in the atmosphere and oceans, weather will become more extreme and violent. In many cases, summers will be hotter, but winters colder.

Climate change advocates predict that this year will be exceptionally cold for most of the central and eastern U.S. because of warm air over the Arctic. The warmer air slows the growth of ice and weakens the jet stream, causing it to kink and drop as far as the southern states. This phenomenon causes the polar vortex, where blobs of frigid, arctic air descend into the lower 48.

This is not what's happening in this case, but a very cold airmass is still coming.

Others will argue the weather phenomenon is normal, and that we should not be alarmed at the unusual swings of the weather.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration has already issued the forecasts and weather experts are telling everyone to take warning. The cold is coming, and when it arrives most of the U.S. will experience record-breaking lows.

Below average temperatures will be felt as far west as California, although California will not see much difference. Los Angeles is only projected to see temperatures that are two degrees below normal.

However, cities directly under the cold airmass, such as Billings and Rapid City, will see temperatures at least 25 degrees below normal. In Canada, the cold will be more severe. Calgary will see temperatures at least 30 degrees below normal.

As the cold airmass moves east, it will spawn dangerous thunderstorms along its front. Behind it will drop heavy snow and frigid cold.

The cold should strike around the middle of next week in the west, then over east over the coming days.

None of the temperatures or snowfall should be exceptionally problematic for people, except that they may see snow and cold a little earlier than normal. Some people may be caught unprepared by the early weather.

During such cold weather events, it is important to spare a thought for people who live outdoors and in need of shelter. The elderly and shut in need heating in their homes. Some pets, such as dogs, should be brought indoors or provided with a warm place since they suffer in extreme cold. Automobiles and homes need to be prepared.

Experts predict the coming winter to be exceptionally cold.

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