January–February 2019 North American cold wave Facts for Kids

In late January 2019, a very cold weather event hit parts of the midwestern United States and eastern Canada. This cold snap was caused by something called a polar vortex. It lasted into February and was so severe that it sadly led to the deaths of 8 to 21 people. Before the extreme cold, a winter storm had already brought a lot of snow, with some areas getting almost 12 inches (30 cm)!

This big chill affected several U.S. states. These included Michigan, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Indiana. In Canada, the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario also felt the intense cold.

What is a Polar Vortex?
How Cold Did It Get?
Impacts of the Cold Wave
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What is a Polar Vortex?

A polar vortex is a large area of very cold air and low pressure. It usually stays around the Earth's North and South Poles. This air spins like a giant top, keeping the cold air trapped. Sometimes, this spinning air can get weaker or stretched out. When this happens, parts of the super cold air can break off and move south, bringing freezing temperatures to places like the U.S. and Canada. It's like a piece of the North Pole's winter weather coming to visit!

How Cold Did It Get?

The 2019 cold wave brought extremely low temperatures. In the Chicago area, for example, the temperature dropped to about −23 °F (−31 °C) at O'Hare International Airport on January 30. Other spots in Chicago were also freezing. Northerly Island recorded −21 °F (−29 °C), and Midway International Airport saw temperatures of −22 °F (−30 °C). On January 31, Chicago hit record lows again, with a temperature of −21 °F (−29 °C) and a windchill that felt like −41 °F (−41 °C)! Wind chill makes the air feel even colder than it actually is because of the wind.

Impacts of the Cold Wave

The extreme cold caused many problems. Schools and businesses often closed to keep people safe. Travel became very difficult, with many flights cancelled and roads becoming dangerous. People were advised to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid frostbite and hypothermia, which are serious health risks in such cold weather. The cold also put a lot of strain on heating systems and power grids as everyone tried to stay warm.