– Polar Blast Sends Power Prices Soaring, Spot NatGas Ripping, And Risk Of “Freeze-Offs”:
The polar vortex split has spread dangerously cold air across the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest and is expected to reach the eastern half of the United States this weekend and into next week. Power grid operators are on high alert and have prepared generators before heating demand surges. There is also a major threat of freeze-offs that could curtail oil and gas production.
Around 0700 ET, the average temperature across Montana was -30F, and about a quarter of the Lower 48 recorded temperatures below zero, according to Ryan Maue, a meteorologist and former NOAA chief scientist.
“That cold air is slowly but surely plunging into the Plains and Great Lakes,” Maue said.
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