A polar vortex is forecast to sweep across the Pacific Northwest before making its way into the Central and Midwest over the course of the next five to ten days, according to one meteorologist. It will bring with it blisteringly cold temperatures of -50F, more than 78 degrees below the average for this time of year.

According to weather outlooks from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, the cold snap looks set to arrive late next week for Central and Eastern regions. Meteorologists have warned an ongoing stratospheric warming event over the North Pole could displace the polar vortex, causing freezing air to engulf the Lower 48 states.

Along with freezing temperatures and icy air, there is a higher chance of precipitation expected, which could increase the possibility of snowfall. Forecasts suggest a ridge in the Southeast may be able to contain that cold air to the western half of the US and Canada.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center has warned a "major storm will produce widespread, significant impacts over much of the US this week.," Adding the major winter storm could bring "several feet of snow" to the Washington and Oregon Cascades.

The incoming Arctic blast has been compared to Storm Uri in February 2021. The weather disaster left more than 4 million people in Texas without power for a record 70.5 hours after 365 generators went offline as a result of the storm.

This latest forecast comes as parts of the Northeast remained in the grips of a huge snowstorm on Sunday. In the Hudson Valley, 15 inches of snow fell, as those across the East Coast faced travel chaos.