Europe is already in the wrath of an Arctic blast, but a “meteorological hammer” is about to drop on the USA as well, gripping all but the westernmost regions in days or weeks of below-normal temperatures, supercell thunderstorms, blizzards and nor’easters.

All this extreme winter weather is because the jet stream is in an extremely amplified pattern, with huge swings north and south. Those southerly kinks allow Arctic air to plunge far southward, fueling storms that feed on temperature contrasts and bringing snow to wide swaths of land areas. These amplified jet-stream patterns are expected to occur more often as the Arctic warms much faster than elsewhere, and Mother Nature seems to be on board.

If you’re in the USA and need a warm place to stay, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362.

The Arctic doesn’t just spell cold for the Northern Hemisphere but amplifies risks around the world. For more information on global risks from Arctic warming look HERE.