Chicago is in for a chilly end to the week, with high temperatures expected to hover in the low 20s by Friday, a significant 10 degrees below the usual for early January. Meanwhile, residents of Kansas City, Missouri, St. Louis, and Cincinnati might find themselves struggling as high temperatures could fail to surpass the freezing mark.
As Saturday dawns, millions across various states will be facing bitterly cold conditions. In Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois, single-digit lows are forecasted, while northern North Dakota could see temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling 25 degrees below zero.
Adding to the discomfort, breezy conditions in the eastern half of the US are expected to amplify the cold, making it feel even harsher than what the thermometer indicates. It is strongly advised to dress appropriately for the wind chill factor to avoid the risk of frostbite and hypothermia during this winter spell.
Even regions as far south as Atlanta and along the Interstate-95 corridor spanning from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Boston should prepare for frigid temperatures akin to the teens come Saturday morning.
This weekend, a significant portion of the central and eastern US is anticipating temperatures 5 to 20 degrees below the norm. The Gulf Coast states are not exempt from this unseasonable cold snap.
Orlando, Florida, typically basking in the low 70s at the turn of the year, will experience a stark contrast with temperatures struggling to rise above the 50s on Saturday, only creeping into the low 60s by Sunday.
Looking ahead, the cold front is set to intensify. A surge of bone-chilling air, marking the coldest spell of the season so far, along with perilous wind chills, is due to sweep through the northern US by Monday, enveloping the eastern two-thirds of the country by Tuesday.
Forecasters are predicting next week to bring temperatures plummeting anywhere from 10 to over 30 degrees below the usual range. With frigid wind chills exacerbating the cold, it poses a danger to those lacking adequate heating or shelter, particularly during the nighttime.
Of particular concern is the Southeast, where overnight lows might dip below freezing along the Gulf Coast at intervals in the upcoming week. New Orleans, not accustomed to frequent encounters with freezing temperatures, may find itself at or below the freezing mark for the first time since last January.
The abnormal cold front could extend southwards sufficiently to jeopardize Florida’s delicate citrus crops and cause iguanas to drop from trees due to the extreme conditions.
The cold snap is anticipated to persist through the second weekend of January, setting the stage for the potential arrival of snow and ice in regions not accustomed to such wintry weather.
While the certainty of winter precipitation this far ahead remains uncertain, the latest forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center pinpoint areas in the Midwest, Northeast, southern Plains, and Southeast as ones to monitor closely next week.
