Are You Ready For The 'Polar Vortex'?

A cold snap the likes of which some of the nation has rarely seen is headed east after plunging much of the midwest into brutally cold temperatures.

Meteorologists are calling the arctic blast a "polar vortex," and it has pelted areas such as Minnesota with temperatures 20 degrees below zero or worse, closing Minneapolis schools for the first time in 17 years. In Michigan, an Amtrak train bound for Chicago froze in place for nine hours overnight Sunday, according to NBC News.

The cold front is expected to move to New Jersey late Monday and into Tuesday, dragging temperatures down 40 degrees in some areas.

In our area, temperatures are forecast to drop to the single digits by early Tuesday morning and aren't expected to climb above freezing until Thursday. The wind chill could make it feel as cold as 10 to 15 degrees below zero beginning Monday night into Tuesday.

Due to the frigid conditions, Burlington County has once again declared a Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency beginning at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m.

A Code Blue declaration is made when winter conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to those without shelter. When a Code Blue is enacted, it provides for short-term emergency sheltering.

Individuals can call CONTACT of Burlington County at 856-234-8888 or 866-234-5006 for a list of available shelters and additional Code Blue information. 

For general cold weather precautions, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter.

Stay warm!