An intense Arctic blast is set to impact the Midwest and Northeast, bringing dangerously low temperatures this weekend. As a result, many areas can expect temperatures to drop below zero, with severe wind chills making conditions even more hazardous.
Severe Cold Snap Timing
The Arctic cold front will begin to affect various regions starting this weekend:
- Sunday: Cold air spreads through the Northeast and most of the South, excluding Florida.
- Monday: The chill will linger in the Northeast, Southern regions (including northern Florida), and the Great Lakes.
Current Temperature Conditions
Temperatures will plunge dramatically in the Midwest this weekend. In many places, highs will remain in the single digits from Minnesota through parts of Indiana. The Ohio Valley may see temperatures in the teens as their maximum for Sunday. Records for the coldest highs for December may be set in cities like Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
Northeastern Forecast
Across the Northeast, forecasts indicate high temperatures struggling to reach above freezing from Boston to Washington, D.C. Parts of the Deep South and northern Gulf Coast will experience highs in the 40s on Monday, marking the warmest conditions during this cold snap.
Subzero Lows Expected
By Sunday morning, the Midwest will experience subzero temperatures in areas not typically associated with severe cold. Locations such as Indiana, central Illinois, and northern Missouri could see temperatures dip as low as 20 degrees below zero. The eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and western Wisconsin may also record daily low temperatures near these extreme levels.
Impacts on the Northeast and South
The coldest mornings in the Northeast and South are predicted for Monday and Tuesday. Lows will vary, with interior areas experiencing teens and the I-95 corridor approaching the low 20s. The Deep South will also feel the impacts, with freezing temperatures forecast for northern Gulf Coast regions and northern Florida.
Dangerous Wind Chills
The accompanying winds from the Arctic front will exacerbate the cold conditions. Wind chills could plummet to 20, 30, or even 40 degrees below zero in the Northern Plains and upper Midwest. Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and ensure that any exposed skin is covered.
Looking Ahead
This period has already been marked as one of the coldest starts to December on record in several Great Lakes and Eastern areas. Notable locations include:
- New York’s JFK Airport: seventh coldest
- Roanoke, Virginia: seventh coldest
- Grand Rapids, Michigan: sixth coldest
After this cold outbreak, long-range forecasts suggest a possible shift in weather patterns that may push this brutal cold back into Canada as late as next week, offering some relief.
