Will La Niña + the Polar Vortex Bring Michigan’s Coldest Winter Yet?

As if Michigan's winter isn't dramatic enough on its own, USA Today has now alerted us that the atmosphere is at a "critical juncture." Apparently, November might be the "fork in the road" that decides whether this winter is everyday Michigan chaos or extraordinary Michigan chaos — either track.

RELATED: La Niña Is Back, Michigan—And She’s Bringing Her Snow Boots

La Niña’s Role in Michigan’s Winter

La Niña is doing her usual routine — cooling Pacific waters and nudging jet streams around like she owns the atmosphere. Weather experts note this tends to steer colder northern air into the U.S. Translation: Michigan's first in line for La Niña's impact.

How the Polar Vortex Could Shift Everything

Meanwhile, climatologist Judah Cohen says that the polar vortex will have a major say in how cold it gets. When it shifts south, we get blasted with Arctic air. The bone-chilling cold brought by a polar vortex is about as popular as a manager who pops in at 3:45 on a Friday and says, "Meeting at 4!"

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The North Pole’s Strange Warm-Up

Here's the fun part: November's forecast suggests the North Pole could see a dramatic warm-up soon, which means colds gotta go somewhere. Where? You guessed it. The Mitten State would get slammed with icy air that instantly freezes your nostrils.

Best-Case vs Worst-Case: Winter Scenarios

If the stratosphere influences the jet stream enough, December into early January could be colder, snowier, and full of extended periods of Pure Michigan frigid temperatures. But — and this is a big but — Cohen also notes that if the polar vortex-jet stream connection fizzles, Michigan could see a "mild to quite mild winter."

RELATED: Michigan Wind Chill Myths: Why it ISN’T What You Think

So, whether we get Arctic blasts or a surprise season of "Winter Lite," whatever you want to say is causing it — La Niña, the polar vortex, or the atmosphere tripping over its own cords — Michigan Winter's gonna Michigan Winter.