It's like "bomb cyclone" or "firenado." It seems like the sort of phenomenon that would be responsible for the record-breaking blast of cold, snow and wintry conditions that reached all the way to the Gulf Coast this week.

A polar vortex dipping down from Siberia is bringing a cold front with frigid temperatures to millions Americans. See maps of the arctic blast.

A strong polar vortex in the stratosphere has brought subzero temperatures to the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and deep into the South.

Frigid temperatures are keeping snow on the ground in parts of the South as some cities in the North report dangerously low temperatures. CBS News Pittsburgh's Erika Stanish reports, and Skyler Henry has more from Tallahassee,

According to the National Weather Service, a polar vortex will impact most of the country this weekend, here is what you need to know.

In Indiana, around zero degrees was likely, the map showed, with temperatures of around three degrees possible in Northern Maine. Northern Georgia would see temperatures around 16, and in Colorado, the map showed that some areas would see -9.

It's a term you hear every couple of winters, when we get stuck in the coldest of cold patterns – polar vortex. But what exactly is it and how does it impact our weather? The polar vortex is ...

Arctic air has brought chilling temperatures as low as 12 degrees in New York City on Monday night but are we in a polar vortex? A polar vortex settled its way over New York City and New Jersey following Sunday’s snow storm,

C with the windchill but the worst is likely over. Environment Canada lifted its extreme cold warning with mid-day temperatures expected to hit -5 C on Thursday and Friday.

The D.C. area is wrapped up in a polar vortex, and this cold weather can wreak havoc on your plumbing if you’re unprepared.

As a lifelong New Yorker, you'd think I'd be prepared whenever a polar vortex makes an unexpected appearance each winter. I'm no stranger to inches of snow leading to school closures. I've even battled below-zero temps to dance the night away at a wintertime birthday party or two.

A polar vortex dipping down from Siberia is bringing a cold front with frigid temperatures to millions Americans. See maps of the arctic blast.