Polar vortex to bring bitter cold; weekend storm may brush southern New England

A surge of Arctic air tied to the polar vortex is expected to push into much of the continental U.S. this week, setting the stage for a major winter storm that could disrupt parts of the South and Central U.S. and potentially graze southern New England late in the weekend, according to a WBUR forecast story republished by NHPR on Tuesday. The most immediate impact for New England is expected to be the cold. The WBUR report says “true arctic air” arrives Friday night into the weekend, with wind chills dropping well below zero across the region and daytime temperatures