Bitter Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills in the Central U.S.

news image
Special Stories
17 Feb 2021 12:30 PM
Cold temperatures have been well anchored across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest for more than a week and now the frigid air has expanded southward, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. More records will be set as the cold air moves to the south and east. We have consistently been breaking record lows across the Central United States for over a week now. Sunday and Monday these record lows extended as far south as Texas and Arkansas. 1° in Texas? Yes that happened. In addition to that, Monday morning's wind chills dropped down to the 40s and 50s below zero from the Plains to the Rockies.

Wind Chill Forecast

Places like the Red River of the South will wake up to wind chill readings in the single digits Thursday morning. With this in mind, be sure to let your pipes drop and charge up your devices while your power is on as rolling black outs are possible in these spots. Wind chills will drop below zero again Friday morning in the northern Plains and as far south as northern Texas. It will feel like the 20s south to the Mexican border. These wind chills are dangerous and if you live in these areas you will want to stay indoors.  If you do go outside you will have to bundle up and protect that exposed skin.

Temperature Forecast

As temperatures moderate across the North, the air will become colder in the South. Temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s for lows as far south as interior Texas, with 30s along the Gulf coast. The latest long range forecast is keeping the extreme cold around in the southern Plains through the end of the week. Temperatures will continue to warm in the northern and central Plains. Stay safe! For the latest, be sure to tune into WeatherNation...You can watch us for free so many ways! Check it out---> HOW TO WATCH WEATHERNATION
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe weather looks to return to parts of th

12 Oct 2026 11:50 AM
Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Tropics: Another Blob in the Atlantic, Pacific Stays Hyperactive

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

12 Oct 2026 11:35 AM
Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

Digging Trough Brings Wind and Snow to the Rockies this Week

A strong upper-level trough digging south fro

12 Oct 2026 11:30 AM
Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

12 Oct 2026 11:20 AM
Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week

More records were broken across the central p

12 Oct 2026 11:05 AM
Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

Rachel Spreading Moisture into the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

12 Oct 2026 11:00 AM
Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Flooding, Tornadoes Target Central Florida Thursday

Deep tropical moisture streaming north from t

8 Oct 2026 1:00 PM