Cold wave facts for kids

A cold wave is a weather event where the air temperature drops very quickly. It becomes much colder than usual for a certain area. Cold waves can be very dangerous. They can cause harm to animals, people, and farm animals.

When it gets extremely cold in winter, water pipes can freeze and burst if they are not protected well. Cars and other vehicles might also stop working. This can happen if the engine oil gets too thick or the special liquid that stops the engine from freezing (antifreeze) doesn't work.

What are Cold Waves?

A cold wave happens when a large mass of very cold air moves into a region. This causes temperatures to drop sharply over a short time. These events are often linked to strong winds and sometimes heavy snow or ice.

How Do Cold Waves Happen?

Cold waves usually form when a large area of high pressure builds up over a very cold region, like the Arctic. This high-pressure system then pushes cold air southwards (in the Northern Hemisphere) or northwards (in the Southern Hemisphere). This movement of cold air can travel thousands of miles, bringing freezing temperatures to places that are not used to such cold.

What Problems Do Cold Waves Cause?

Cold waves can create many serious problems for communities. It's important to be prepared when one is expected.

Effects on People and Animals

Very cold temperatures can be dangerous for people. Without proper heating and warm clothing, people can suffer from hypothermia (when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it) or frostbite (when body parts freeze). Farm animals and wildlife can also be badly affected by extreme cold. They might struggle to find food or shelter.

Effects on Homes and Cars

Homes can be damaged by cold waves. Water pipes can freeze and burst, causing floods inside buildings. This can lead to expensive repairs. For cars, the cold can make batteries die. It can also cause fuel lines to freeze, stopping the car from starting.

Famous Cold Waves

The United States and Canada have experienced several major cold waves. These events show how powerful and widespread cold weather can be.

The 1994 Cold Wave

In January 1994, a very strong cold wave hit nearly 70 percent of the United States. It also affected southern Canada. This event brought extremely low temperatures across a huge area. Many cities saw record-breaking cold.

The 2014 Polar Vortex

Another major event was the 2014 North American polar vortex. This brought incredibly cold temperatures across most of the United States and Canada. A "polar vortex" is a large area of low pressure and cold air that usually stays near the Earth's poles. Sometimes, it can weaken and send cold air much further south. The 2014 event caused many problems and was responsible for the deaths of about two dozen people.