An extreme cold wave is sweeping across vast areas of the United States this weekend, bringing dangerously low temperatures and hazardous weather conditions for millions of people. The National Weather Service has warned that approximately 49 million Americans—from the Northern Plains to the Southeast—will remain under cold alerts, with some warnings extending through Monday morning.
The hardest-hit cities include Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Huntsville, and Myrtle Beach. In the Northern Plains and Midwest, Saturday night temperatures could drop to -25°F (-31°C), with wind chills making it feel as low as -30 to -35°F (-34 to -37°C) in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. On Sunday, the frigid air mass will move toward the Northeast and Southeast, keeping minimum temperatures well below seasonal averages.
The cold will significantly impact daily life, with record lows expected over the next two nights in cities such as Indianapolis, Charleston, Mobile, Savannah, Baton Rouge, Tupelo, and Myrtle Beach. Daytime highs will remain below average, with subzero temperatures across the Northern Plains.
In addition to the cold, a “fast-moving clipper” system is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Cities including the Quad Cities, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York could see significant accumulations. Central Midwest, Iowa, and Illinois may receive between 5 and 13 cm (2–5 inches) of snow, with higher totals in the central Appalachians. Along the East Coast corridor of I-95, 2 to 10 cm (1–4 inches) are forecast, with localized peaks in New Jersey and Long Island.
Lake-effect snow will continue through Monday, particularly downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, where up to 36 cm (14 inches) and wind gusts of up to 35 mph (56 km/h) could create extremely dangerous travel conditions.
After several days of rain, the Northwest will see a brief reprieve thanks to a high-pressure system. However, river flooding may remain critical, especially in western Washington. Precipitation is expected to return Sunday, with another storm forecast between Monday and Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.