A massive Arctic blast is moving across the United States, putting 70 million people under winter storm warnings, with snow targeting the East Coast followed by dangerously cold temperatures extending from the Northern Plains to Maine.
Why It Matters
The storm brings rare winter conditions to southern states while threatening major northeastern population centers with significant snowfall, creating potentially hazardous conditions along the entire I-95 corridor and inland regions.
What Is an Arctic Blast?
An Arctic blast occurs when the polar vortex, a ring of cold air usually trapped around the North Pole, becomes disrupted. This disruption allows frigid polar air to push southward, bringing extreme cold temperatures far below regional averages.
This particular blast will drive temperatures as low as minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, with dangerous wind chills extending as far south as Oklahoma.
What To Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) projects up to six inches of snow through Monday morning in the Mid-Atlantic, while New England expects up to 10 inches Sunday afternoon onward.
In western New York, forecasts show 2 to 3 feet of lake-effect snow possible through Wednesday morning, particularly near Oswego.
Temperature forecasts are severe, with Northern Plains facing minus 30 to minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chills of minus 40 degrees are reported in North Dakota and Minnesota, with sub-zero conditions expected to reach Oklahoma and Tennessee Valley.
What People Are Saying
Marc Chenard from the National Weather Service: “”There will certainly be some more hazardous road conditions anywhere from D.C. up the whole I-95 corridor and then inland from there later today and tonight.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters: “We have to be here for each other and make sure our pets and other parts of New York are safe as we navigate through this cold weather condition we expect.”
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty: “This cold snap is coming at the climatological peak of winter when historical average temperatures hit their lowest values in many parts of the country. Since this is the heart of winter, record-low temperatures are near their lowest values as well. This may prevent widespread record-setting temperatures, but some record-low temperatures will likely be broken.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued a state of emergency on Saturday in advance of the severe weather. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also declared a state emergency for all 21 counties in the Garden State.
What Happens Next
The cold front will push into the South early next week, affecting 30 million people with an unusual wintry mix from Texas to northern Florida.
The system will begin impacting Texas Monday night before spreading across the Gulf Coast and Southeast Tuesday into Wednesday. Cities are preparing warming centers as temperatures drop to potentially dangerous levels.
President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration has been moved indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures projected in the nation’s capital.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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