BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. is bracing for another round of winter weather, with bone-chilling winds expected in the Northern Plains and unusual snow and ice in the Gulf Coast area. The cold weather forecast for Washington, D.C. on Monday led to the decision to move President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony indoors at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Temperatures colder than normal are expected from the Rockies to the Northern Plains starting Sunday and continuing into the coming week. Wind chills could reach as low as minus 40 degrees F (minus 40 degrees C) in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Marc Chenard.
In such extreme cold, frostbite can develop in exposed skin in less than 10 minutes, so it is advised to wear coats, hats, gloves, and limit time spent outdoors, said Connor Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.
As the cold air moves southward and eastward, the central and eastern U.S. will also experience cold temperatures, with highs in the teens and 20s on Monday and Tuesday. The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions will see similar conditions, with lows in the single digits and wind chills below zero.
In addition to the cold, unusual wintry weather including snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to impact Texas through northern Florida and the Carolinas starting Monday night.
This fast-moving storm could bring impactful winter weather to areas that are not accustomed to it. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency ahead of the wintry weather and urged residents to stay informed and prepared.
The cold snap is attributed to a disruption in the polar vortex, the ring of cold air typically situated around the North Pole.
Snow is expected to move across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with the potential for 2 to 8 inches of accumulation in some areas. Motorists in the East should be prepared for treacherous conditions, and some airports may experience delays.
In response to the forecast, the city of Baltimore has canceled its annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade for the second consecutive year due to concerns about winter weather. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol starting Sunday evening.
At noon on Friday, temperatures are expected to remain freezing throughout the daytime hours, with overnight temperatures anticipated to dip into the single digits and possibly below zero. When activated, the state’s severe cold weather protocol allows state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with homeless shelters and a 24-hour hotline for community services to ensure anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.
Walker reported from New York. She can be reached at https://x.com/jwalkreporter. Susan Haigh contributed from Hartford, Connecticut. Gary Robertson contributed from Raleigh, North Carolina.
