Are you hoping for a January thaw? Keep dreaming. The prediction of a milder-than-average winter for the East and the South seems far-fetched now, as bone-chilling temperatures are on the horizon. “Multiple waves of arctic air are gathering over northern Canada and are set to move towards the central and eastern United States in the coming days and weeks,” noted AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok. The most intense cold front is expected to hit the north-central U.S. on Friday before sweeping across the rest of the nation over the weekend. Arctic air will descend from the northern Rockies and Great Plains, passing through the Gulf Coast and Midwest on Saturday night and reaching the Eastern Seaboard by Sunday night. Meteorologist Ryan Maue cautioned that the entire Lower 48 states will be hit with extreme Arctic cold by Tuesday. The onset of the new Trump administration will likely be dominated by weather-related challenges. With temperatures plummeting, it’s crucial to prepare for an extended period of cold weather, as nearly 80 million Americans are forecasted to experience subzero temperatures by next Tuesday. Wind chills are expected to make conditions even more perilous, with some areas in the northern Plains and upper Midwest facing subzero high temperatures. In places like North Dakota, wind chills could reach dangerous levels of 40 below zero, posing a serious risk of hypothermia and frostbite. The frigid weather, originating from Siberia, will bring subzero highs and severe wind chills, making it one of the coldest periods of the winter. Residents in various cities, such as New York City, Atlanta, Houston, and Chicago, should prepare for bitter cold conditions with temperatures well below average, potentially leading to hard freezes and other hazards.
Multiple nights with temperatures below zero are expected next week, ushering in a renewed period of frigid conditions and raising concerns about the potential for ice jams on area rivers, as per the weather service in Chicago.
Arctic cold is poised to sweep through a significant portion of the contiguous United States, beginning later this week and extending into the following week. Bitterly cold wind chills could impact numerous areas, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center to issue key messages urging the public to stay safe during the upcoming cold spell.
In addition to the extreme cold, several opportunities for snowfall are anticipated across the central, southern, and eastern regions of the country. The most notable storm system on the horizon is projected to affect the South next week, with the potential for heavy snowfall contingent upon the storm’s track and intensity. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski explained, “The track and intensity of that storm will determine if heavy snow falls on parts of the Southern states and if some of that snow is able to reach into the Mid-Atlantic for the middle of next week.”
Considering the prevailing weather patterns, some may question the alignment of this cold snap with the preseason winter forecast issued by the federal government. The initial forecast, spanning the months of December, January, and February, indicated a likelihood of above-average temperatures in the southern and eastern U.S. While January has indeed brought frigid conditions, especially in the eastern regions, December was recorded as the fourth warmest on record nationwide.
Tom DiLiberto, a meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), expressed caution regarding premature assessments of the winter outlook. DiLiberto remarked, “I’m always a bit nervous to make claims about winter with months left before the season is over. We’ve seen in past years how one month can impact the seasonal pattern.” With regards to precipitation, he noted that the current distribution aligns with expectations associated with the La Niña weather pattern, which typically results in drier conditions in the southern U.S. and increased precipitation in the Pacific Northwest.
In conclusion, the impending Arctic blast is set to affect a significant portion of the United States, bringing subzero temperatures and the potential for disruptive snowfall. While the actualization of the winter forecast remains uncertain, meteorologists emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared for the variable weather conditions expected in the coming weeks.
