HOUSTON – It’s been a warm December in the Houston area, but as the calendar changes, so does the weather. You may have seen the term “polar vortex” on social media lately. The term may sound a little ominous, but KHOU 11 meteorologist Pat Cavlin says it’s not as scary as it seems. However, it could cause major weather changes across the U.S. and here in Southeast Texas.

The polar vortex is a large area of ​​low pressure and cold air circling the Arctic, the northern part of the Earth. It is surrounded by a fast-moving jet stream that helps contain the cold air. When the vortex is stable and the jet stream pattern is strong, Arctic air remains trapped in the polar regions. But disruptions in the jet stream could cause some of that Arctic to move south toward the United States

Currently, models suggest it could impact the United States in the second week of January, primarily between January 8th and 12th. The Climate Prediction Center predicts that the eastern and southeastern United States will likely experience below-average temperatures. The impact in Houston is still uncertain.

As of this writing, milder conditions are forecast for Houston in the new year, with highs in the 60s and 70s. Then next week there could be a gradual cooling with below average temperatures. However, we remain above freezing during the day. Still, meteorologists are monitoring the situation closely as the models evolve.

The last time there was a major polar vortex event in Texas was in 2021. It brought record-breaking cold and power outages. At this point there is no sign that this will happen again, but preparation is key. Now is the time to winterize your homes and stay informed by checking back with KHOU 11 regularly and getting the KHOU 11 app for alerts.

KHOU 11 will continue to update you as there is a chance for temperatures to drop below freezing in mid-January.