Map Shows ‘Arctic Blast’ to Strike Over a Dozen States Next Week

Swaths of the U.S. could see below-average temperatures next week, according to forecasters.

Why It Matters

Official data indicated that more than a dozen states could experience periods of relative coolness as August draws to a close, a shift from earlier in the season, when heat waves seared wide areas of the nation.

What To Know

In a 6-10 Day outlook issued on Thursday, which was valid for August 27-31, a map from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) indicated that states with the highest chances of experiencing below-normal temperatures included, but weren’t limited to New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Illinois, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Although probabilities were lower, states that could also see lower-than-usual temperatures included Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire, among others.

The CPC explains that its 6-10 Day and 8-14 Day temperature outlook maps indicate the probability that the observed temperature, defined as the average of daily mean temperatures over the period, will fall into one of three categories: above normal, near normal, or below normal.

A daily mean temperature is the 24-hour average of all temperature observations recorded at a given station on a given day. The 6–10 Day and 8–14 Day averages are then calculated by averaging all of the daily mean temperatures within their respective forecast periods, the agency says.

What People Are Saying

Meteorologist Ryan Maue said in a post on X, Wednesday: “Arctic blast coming next week with ‘well below normal’ temperatures.

“It will feel like early Fall across much of the Lower 48 as a strong cold front plunges southward.

“Nobody should complain. It will be a fantastic break from the summer heat and humidity.”

Arctic blast coming next week with “well below normal” temperatures. It will feel like early Fall across much of the Lower 48 as a strong cold front plunges southward. Nobody should complain. It will be a fantastic break from the summer heat and humidity. pic.twitter.com/qJb9v8FiOX

— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) August 21, 2025

An NWS spokesperson previously told Newsweek, regarding earlier outlooks for roughly the same period: “The relative coolness anticipated for the Midwest and Northeast is driven by what is called a ‘trough’ in the upper atmosphere, which directs storm systems farther to the south than normal.

“These troughs in the upper atmosphere can initiate cold fronts at the surface, and usher in cool Canadian air masses. In this case, a trough is expected to set up over the Eastern United States, drawing in cooler than normal air to the Midwest and Northeast from Canada.”

The National Weather Service forecast office, Cleveland, Ohio, said on X, Wednesday: “Cooler air is on the way! Highs will dip into the low 70s and upper 60s by early next week across northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.”

NWS Paducah, Kentucky, said on X, Thursday: “Pleasant weather will continue for the next 7 days. Temperatures will remain near normal into the weekend. Below normal temperatures arrive for early next week with the passage of a cold front. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s and lows in the 50s are expected.”