I have heard of nor'easters.

I have heard of freezing temperatures.

I have not, however, heard of a "polar vortex..." but apparently we're all about to find out what it is.

Numerous, reliable, news outlets such as the NYTimes and ABC News are warning people across the US (especially the north east) that a polar vortex is headed our way in January 2025.

The polar vortex will bring "dangerously freezing" temperatures.

Again, I have been apart of some brutally cold temps in New England - I remember using space heaters in my basement to keep my pipes from freezing just last winter.

What is a polar vortex?

According to an ABC News article, normally, the polar vortex lives in the upper atmosphere - near the north pole. "When the polar vortex is strong, it locks the cold air in the Arctic," according to ABC News. "When the polar vortex gets weaker, or breaks up, it unleashes cold air to the south."

And that is the fear - the cold air is being unleashed to the south.

Most of the predictions are that the cold front, excuse me...polar vortex, will land in New England around the second week of January.

And there will be no escaping cold temperatures - mix that with any kind of wind chill and we are in for a freeze.

This could all change as what happens to the south of New England will affect what comes north. So stay alert and monitor your most reliable weather app.