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Cold Snap Ahead: Sudden Stratospheric Warming Possible

12/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A potential Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event could drive below-average temperatures across parts of the United States later this month.
Laura Ciasto of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says current models do not predict another major SSW soon.
Instead, surface weather is influencing the stratosphere.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for hypothermia and frostbite as temperatures fall below zero in the Midwest.

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Story summary

A potential Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event could drive below-average temperatures across parts of the United States later this month.
Laura Ciasto of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says current models do not predict another major SSW soon.
Instead, surface weather is influencing the stratosphere.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for hypothermia and frostbite as temperatures fall below zero in the Midwest.