Could early February's blast of cold in the northeastern United States be one of the last appearances of our wintertime foe,the polar vortex?
While forecasters can't yet say that for sure, a warmer stretch of weather appears likely for much of the nation: According to aforecast from AccuWeather, a gradual moderation in temperatures is expected to develop during the second week of February across the Midwest and eastern United States.
However, while conditions will turn less cold, lingering snow and ice will slow the warming process and keep winter-related risks in place, AccuWeather said.
Snow covers the ground in northwest Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. These photos captured the winter storm's aftermath from the sky." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Mesmerizing drone photos taken after winter storm show power of nature
Snow covers the ground in northwest Oklahoma City, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. These photos captured thewinter storm's aftermathfrom the sky.
Is a strong polar vortex good news?
Keep in mind that a stronger polar vortex is good news for warm weather lovers in the U.S. When it's strong, the vortex and its cold air usually stay bottled up over the Arctic where they belong. When the polar vortex weakens, it often allows unspeakably cold air to funnel south into the U.S.
"As the polar vortex strengthens next week, the jet stream will become strong, but in a general west-to-east setup over the U.S. and southern Canada," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said in anonline forecast.
"As this happens, Pacific air will tend to flow across the U.S., and the air will end up being much less cold than recent weeks in the central and eastern states," Anderson said.
How warm will it get?
According toNOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC),well above normal temperatures are expected from the interior West to the central and eastern United States the week of Feb. 9.
"The Plains will see the greatest anomalies of 20-30 degrees above normal for early February, locally even higher," the WPC said in anonline forecast. "This puts highs in the 60s well north into Montana and South Dakota Monday Feb. 9 and Tuesday Feb. 10."
Temperatures may moderate some as the week progresses, but will still generally be at or slightly above normal, theWPC said. "Warmer than average temperatures will also expand across the South to the Southeast and into portions of the Mid-Atlantic," the forecast said.
According toAccuWeather, people in the Midwest and Northeast who have acclimated to highs in the single digits, teens and 20s may find that highs in the 30s, 40s and near 50 degrees Fahrenheit will feel like spring has arrived early.
More:Polar vortex sending Arctic air to US. Where will be coldest?
Any relief coming to the beleaguered Northeast?
The short answer is, "Yes, somewhat," according toWeather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. "We do expect temperatures to rise above freezing in much of the Interstate 95 corridor by Tuesday (Feb. 10)," he said in an online forecast.
"But, in general, the warm-up in the Northeast will be relatively muted compared to the rest of the South and central U.S. during the week."
Gradual warming would be best
"Given the amount of ice on area streams and rivers, the last thing anyone would want is a massive warmup with heavy rain all at once," saidAccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski in an online forecast. "Such a condition in January 1996 resulted in major ice jams and river flooding as the snow cover melted in a matter of hours.
"The upcoming thaw looks to be more gradual and less intense than in 1996 — for now."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:February forecast says polar vortex on the way out (for now)
