An Arctic blast is set to sweep across much of the United States, causing temperatures to plummet by 30 to 40 degrees this weekend and into next week. This chilling weather pattern will bring a hazardous freeze from parts of the Midwest to the East Coast, and even Southern states like Texas are expected to feel the bitter cold.
According to forecasters, the cold air will originate in the Rockies and Great Plains on Friday, before making its way to the Deep South and Great Lakes by Saturday night. The Arctic blast will then extend into the East Coast by Sunday. The freeze is projected to persist from Saturday through at least Tuesday, impacting the Plains and upper Midwest the most. High temperatures in these regions are forecasted to range from the single digits to teens, with wind chills plummeting to 30 to 50 degrees below zero at times.
The Weather Prediction Center has issued warnings about the increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite due to exposed skin in these extreme conditions. In the central Plains and Midwest, highs are expected to be in the teens to 20s, while parts of northern Texas will also experience the cold blast, with temperatures ranging from the 30s to 40s, as relayed by the National Weather Service.
Areas of the country that are still blanketed in inches of snow from an early January winter storm are unlikely to see much thawing as the Arctic air mass descends upon them. A winter storm is anticipated to bring several inches of snow from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast on Sunday, followed by the arrival of bitter cold temperatures in the East on Monday. The Weather Prediction Center has warned that these temperatures will be the coldest so far this season.
In conclusion, an Arctic blast is on the horizon, bringing with it a significant drop in temperatures across the U.S. This impending freeze poses serious risks to public health and safety, particularly in regions that are unaccustomed to such extreme cold. Residents are urged to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and stay informed about weather updates as this frigid weather system moves through the nation.
Source: USA TODAY
