Arctic Blast To Bring Freezing Air to Millions of Americans

Arctic air is set to take a deep dive into the Southern United states. Millions of Americans will be impacted by these cooler temperatures this weekend through next week. This cold outbreak is being driven by a strong upper-level low dipping southward from Canada, allowing frigid polar air to surge into the central and eastern portions of the country. This low will also help to drive multiple cold fronts across the country. There will be widespread subfreezing temperatures overnight, with many regions experiencing daytime highs that will struggle to climb above the freezing mark. 

In some areas, temperatures could run 20 to 30 degrees below average, especially across the Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes region.

Monday and Tuesday's lows will plummet into the 20s, 30s, and 40s all the way to the Central Gulf Coast States and Florida. Numerous frost and freeze alerts will be issued ahead of the coldest air - protect sensitive plants.

Farther south, the cold air will bring the season’s first frost and freeze to areas that typically remain mild into late fall. The combination of Arctic high pressure and strong cold advection will make the air feel even colder, with wind chill values dipping into the single digits in northern states. 

This early blast of winter is a reminder that the transition from autumn to winter can happen abruptly when large-scale atmospheric patterns align. People should prepare by checking heating systems, protecting exposed pipes, and dressing in multiple insulating layers to guard against hypothermia and frostbite. The cold pattern may linger for several days before a gradual moderation occurs as the upper-level flow begins to flatten and the jet stream retreats northward. 

Get forecast details for your section of the country with our regional forecasts, which air at :10, :30, and :50 past the hour from east to west. You can also watch the latest forecast anytime with the WeatherNation app!