"An Arctic air mass is expected to plunge into the Central U.S. this week, with high confidence for widespread, record-breaking cold," NWS said in the forecast. "Through Friday [F

The polar vortex’s icy grip on much of America has Arctic Greenland seeming like a toasty vacation spot by comparison.

An Arctic blast tied in part to the polar vortex is driving record frigid air south from the Northern Plains toward the Gulf Coast Wednesday in a cold snap that will last the entire week. Threat level: This event is setting daily record cold temperatures and is forecast to bring for the coldest temperatures on record for this late in the season.