Warning Issued as 'Full Load Arctic Blast' Approaches, Threatening

It has been a fierce winter already in the United States, as much of the country has already been hit by severe winter weather and frigid temperatures over the past several weeks. However, it sounds like more frigid temperatures and winter weather could be coming in the next few weeks.

This week, a prominent meteorologist issued a warning about what he predicts will be a "full load" Arctic blast that would bring extremely cold temperatures and possible extreme winter weather to parts of the United States and Canada in early 2026.

What is an 'Arctic Blast'?

An "arctic blast" is a weather phenomenon that brings extremely cold temperatures down from the far north. Typically, this happens when cold air collects and pools over the Arctic and is then pushed by the jet stream down into the United States and Canada.

The National Weather Service defines an Arctic blast as “very cold air masses that typically originate in the Siberian Region of Asia, cross over the North Pole into Canada and push south and east into the lower United States.”

As the cold Arctic air is pushed into the warmer, moister air to the south, the system can quickly develop into serious weather, like snowstorms and blizzards.

'Full Load Arctic Blast' Coming

This week, prominent meteorologist Ryan Maue issued a warning about what could be a "full load" Arctic blast coming at some point in early January.

Maue warned of "historically cold air" that is currently building and pooling over northern Canada and Alaska which he predicts will lead to an arctic blast in early 2026, bringing all of that cold air – and potentially severe winter weather – to the United States and Canada.

"Need to keep a close eye on the historically cold air building over Western Canada and Alaska. We rarely see this type of cold during the past 1,000 years," Maue wrote in a post on X. "Early January 2026, massive cold pool with temperatures in the -60s --> 'full load' Arctic blast."

As for the timing, Maue did not have an exact prediction, but he does seem to think it will hit the United States in early January.

"I don't know if the Arctic blast will hold off for 12-14 days," he warned. "Need a stronger Pacific origin ridge of high pressure to block it up in Canada."

It might not be a white Christmas for much of the country, but it sounds like winter weather could come not long after the New Year.