A polar vortex is forecasted to bring a severe freeze to millions of Americans across the continental United States this weekend and into next week. The arctic blast will result in dangerously low temperatures and cold wind chills from the Midwest to the East Coast. Sub-zero temperatures are expected in the northern Plains and upper Midwest, while the central Plains and Midwest will experience temperatures in the teens and 20s.
The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening risks such as hypothermia and frostbite as sub-freezing temperatures extend to the Gulf Coast and wind chills drop to 30-55 degrees below zero in the Rockies, northern Plains, and Upper Midwest. Snow is expected in the Appalachians, upper Ohio Valley, and Northeast, with the heaviest snowfall predicted north and west of the I-95 corridor.
As the storm system moves towards Canada, it will trigger lake-effect snow in the upper Great Lakes region. Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in northern Florida and southern Georgia. The frigid weather has led to the decision to hold Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration indoors in Washington DC.
Winter storm warnings have been issued in several Northeast states, including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency due to heavy snow and dangerously low temperatures expected from Monday through Wednesday.
Other areas expected to be impacted by the winter weather include Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Atlanta. Little to no snow is forecasted for Atlanta.
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Anthony Robledo is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at arobledo@usatoday.com and follow him on Twitter @anthonyarobledo.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Winter weather: See impact of winter storm warnings, polar vortex in US
