Key Takeaways
- Sixty million people across the United States are under cold weather alerts due to brutally low temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills.
- The Northern Plains and Midwest are expected to experience the most extreme temperatures, with overnight temperatures potentially dipping as low as -25 degrees and wind chills making it feel like -30 to -35 degrees.
- Sixty-eight million people from the Plains through the Mid-Atlantic face winter alerts, with a quick-moving clipper bringing periods of heavy snow and gusty winds to these areas.
- Lake-effect snow bands are forecast to develop downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario, with 7 to 14 inches of snow possible and difficult travel conditions expected.
- The Northwest will experience a dry break on Saturday, but significant river flooding will persist, and another strong storm is expected to bring heavy precipitation and strong winds on Monday and Tuesday.
Introduction to Winter Weather
Winter weather is sweeping across parts of the United States, bringing with it brutally low temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. The National Weather Service has issued cold weather alerts for sixty million people from the Northern Plains through the Southeast, including major cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, Huntsville, and Myrtle Beach. These alerts are expected to run into Monday morning, with the most extreme temperatures hitting the Northern Plains and Midwest on Saturday night. Overnight temperatures could dip as low as -25 degrees, with wind chills making it feel like -30 to -35 degrees in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Cold Temperatures and Wind Chills
The cold temperatures and wind chills are expected to have a significant impact on the affected areas. Daytime highs will stay 10 to 35 degrees below average along and east of the Plains, with highs expected to stay below zero in the Northern Plains on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, highs will stay in the single digits, teens, and 20s across much of the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-South. Record low temperatures are expected over the next couple of mornings in parts of Illinois, Indianapolis, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The wind chills will be particularly hazardous, with the National Weather Service issuing warnings for wind chills in the teens and single digits stretching into the Mid-South and Southeast by Monday morning.
Snowfall and Winter Alerts
In addition to the cold temperatures, sixty-eight million people from the Plains through the Mid-Atlantic face winter alerts due to a quick-moving clipper bringing periods of heavy snow and gusty winds. The cities affected by these alerts include Sioux Falls, the Quad Cities, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and New York. Snow showers were already hitting parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana on Saturday morning, with a swath of 2 to 5 inches of snow possible in parts of central Iowa and Illinois through the Appalachians. Totals for the I-95 corridor will range from 1 to 4 inches from Washington, D.C. through Boston, with higher localized amounts possible across New Jersey and Long Island.
Lake-Effect Snow and Flooding
Lake-effect snow bands are forecast to develop downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario through the weekend, with lake-effect snow warnings in place through Monday. The affected areas can expect 7 to 14 inches of snow, accompanied by 35 mph wind gusts, which will create difficult travel conditions. Meanwhile, the Northwest will experience a dry break on Saturday, thanks to an area of high pressure. However, significant river flooding will persist through the area, most notably in western Washington. The possibility of rain will return on Sunday, with another strong storm moving onshore Monday into Tuesday, bringing another round of heavy precipitation and strong winds.
Conclusion and Outlook
The winter weather sweeping across the United States is expected to have a significant impact on the affected areas, with brutally low temperatures, dangerously cold wind chills, and heavy snowfall. The National Weather Service has issued numerous alerts and warnings, and it is essential for people in the affected areas to take necessary precautions to stay safe. The outlook for the next few days is expected to remain challenging, with another strong storm moving onshore in the Northwest and lake-effect snow bands developing downwind of Lake Erie and Ontario. It is crucial for people to stay informed and follow the latest updates from the National Weather Service to ensure their safety and well-being.