Honestly, it’s looking like winter finally remembered it’s supposed to be cold. After a start to the month that felt a little too easy, things are shifting. If you’re checking the next Monday weather for January 19, 2026, you're basically looking at a day where the "Polar Vortex" stops being a scary buzzword and starts being a very real reason to find your heavy coat.
Monday happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It’s a holiday for many, but the atmosphere isn't taking the day off.
The Big Chill in the East and Midwest
So, here’s the deal. A significant cold weather alert has been issued by PJM—the folks who manage the power grid—covering a huge chunk of the U.S. starting this Monday. We’re talking about 13 states plus D.C. feeling the squeeze. In the Western Region, which hits places like Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, low temperatures are expected to dive into the single digits.
It’s not just a "little chilly." It’s "pipe-bursting" cold.
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Take Indianapolis as a prime example. On Monday, the high is barely scratching 16°F. That’s the high. With west winds kicking up at 14 mph and gusts hitting 28 mph, the wind chill is going to be brutal. If you’re planning on attending any outdoor MLK Day events, you’ve gotta layer up like you’re heading to the Arctic. Because, essentially, that's where this air is coming from.
Why Is This Happening Now?
You might’ve heard people talking about a "Stratospheric Warming" event earlier this month. Basically, the Polar Vortex got a bit of a gut punch. When that happens, the cold air that’s usually locked up north starts wobbling and "leaks" down into North America.
We’re also dealing with a weak La Niña. Usually, La Niña means a warmer south, but this year it’s being a bit of a wildcard. The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is also moving into a phase that favors big-time cold for the eastern two-thirds of the country. It’s like a perfect storm of climate patterns all deciding to sync up right on your long weekend.
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Regional Breakdown: Who Gets the Worst of It?
It’s a bit of a split story across the map.
- The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic: You’re looking at a sharp drop. While Sunday might have some lingering sun, Monday brings the real bite. PJM is on high alert because when temperatures drop this fast, everyone cranks the heat, and the grid starts sweating.
- The Midwest: This is the "Ground Zero" for the cold. Single-digit lows are a near-guarantee. If you’re in the Great Lakes area, keep an eye out for lake-effect snow flurries. They won't necessarily be a blizzard, but they’ll make the roads slick enough to be annoying.
- The South: Even places like San Antonio are feeling it. They’ve already put out warnings to protect the "4 P’s": People, Pets, Property, and Pipes. Even if it doesn't stay below freezing for days, the suddenness of the front is what catches people off guard.
- The West Coast: You guys are the lucky ones. While the rest of the country freezes, a ridge of high pressure is keeping things relatively mild and even warmer than average in parts of California and Oregon.
What You Should Actually Do
Don't just look at the number on the app and shrug. A high of 16°F with 28 mph gusts is a different beast than a still 16°F day.
First, check on your neighbors. Since Monday is a holiday, some local services like libraries or community centers—which often act as warming stations—might have different hours. In San Antonio, for instance, they’ve already flagged that their 311 hotlines for homeless services will be closed on the holiday, though emergency shelters remain open.
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Second, if you’re traveling, watch the "lee of the Rockies." Meteorologists at the Climate Prediction Center are watching a surface low that could trigger some messy precipitation across the Midwest. It’s that annoying mix of rain and snow that turns highways into ice rinks.
Honestly, the "nickel-and-dime" snow pattern we’re seeing this January is more dangerous than one big storm. It’s constant, it’s icy, and it’s persistent. Next Monday is just the opening act for a week that looks increasingly wintry.
Actionable Next Steps
- Drip the Faucets: If you’re in the Midwest or the interior South where temps are hitting those single digits or low teens, don’t risk the pipes. A slow drip saves a lot of money in plumbing repairs.
- Pet Check: If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them. Shorthaired dogs and cats need to stay inside.
- Vehicle Prep: Check your tire pressure. Cold air makes the pressure drop, and the last thing you want is a flat in 10-degree weather.
- Energy Consumption: If you can, keep the thermostat at a steady level rather than cranking it up and down. It helps the grid and your wallet.
The weather for next Monday isn't a total disaster, but it’s a serious reality check. Winter has finally arrived in earnest, and it plans on sticking around for a while.