Arctic air mass causes winter break to last one day longer than planned.

By Kyler Johnson/Gator Galaxy Staff

Wind chills of minus 25 or below were expected in Lincoln on Jan. 6 as an arctic front moved across the northern plains. Those expected conditions prompted many school closures including Lincoln Public Schools. Road closures, flight cancellations and business closures also occurred around the United States and Canada. At 2:56 a.m. on Jan. 6, Lincoln’s peak wind chill was recorded at the Lincoln Municipal Airport, at 30 degrees below zero. Places like Omaha and Norfolk saw even colder temperatures. Towards western Nebraska, temperatures were not as cold, but still were dangerous.

According to The National Weather Service in Omaha/ Valley, Nebraska. The eastern half of the state has not seen temperatures like that in over 20 years. The arctic front formed in Canada and pushed southward into the U.S. Arctic cold fronts are typically associated with a nor’easter ( a nickname given to strong winter storms in the northeast, they bring large amounts of snow and plenty of cold air). Dangerously cold temperatures affected a good portion of the contiguous United States. Places like Minnesota had wind chill readings of 60 degrees below zero, or even colder in some areas.

LNS science teacher Katy Whitman said, “I was very grateful to have an extra day off and my dog loved it.” she also said, “It’s our job as teachers to keep children safe and it was a good call from LPS Superintendent Dr.Steve Joel.” Jordyn Corn, a Freshman said, “ The day off was great, but it was terribly cold outside, and there was no way I was going outside.” on the day off many kids around the U.S. did some fun science experiments like blowing bubbles and watching the bubbles freeze instantly or getting boiling hot water and splashing it in the air, then watch snow flakes fall instantly from the sky.

At least 21 deaths have occurred from this dangerous arctic front. Many buildings have been damaged and hundreds of people are suffering from wind chill related injuries, such as frostbite and hypothermia. The Associated Press concluded that the arctic front cost the U.S. over $5 billion.

The front stemmed off the constant moving polar vortex, which is basically a constant moving bowl of cold air. The vortex moves from west to east around the north pole and breaks off a arctic air mass otherwise know as arctic high pressure. High pressure moves clockwise and bring dry conditions followed by hot or cold air depending on the current season.

The Weather Channel concluded the arctic air mass stretched over 1,500 miles. This has not been the first major front. In 1985, there was a similar weather pattern, but that system did not do as much damage and did not affect such a large area.