UPDATE: A major Arctic blast is set to impact more than 100 million Americans this weekend, plunging temperatures across the central, eastern, and southern United States. This powerful cold front, originating from Canada, is forecasted to cause significant temperature drops, widespread frost and freezes, and the first major snowfall of the season for many areas.
Meteorologists warn that this Arctic invasion, arriving on November 10, 2023, could break temperature records dating back to the 1800s. “The U.S. is skipping fall and going right to winter,” meteorologist Ryan Maue declared on social media platform X. The cold outbreak is driven by a strong upper-level low, allowing frigid polar air to surge southward, leading to temperatures plummeting 20 to 30 degrees below average in some regions.
By Monday, parts of the Southeast are expected to be as cold as Nuuk, Greenland. Meteorologist Ben Noll noted, “It will be warmer in St. John’s, Newfoundland, than parts of northern Florida.” The freeze is anticipated to affect 155 million people by Wednesday, prompting officials to advise residents to protect outdoor plumbing, irrigation systems, and sensitive plants.
Daytime temperatures across the Midwest will drop into the 30s and 40s, with wind chills plunging into the single digits on Sunday morning in states like Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago warned of an “early taste of winter,” which could create hazardous travel conditions. “Periods of lake effect snow may lead to localized accumulations and slippery travel on untreated roadways,” the NWS stated.
In Michigan, the “first measurable snow of the winter season” is expected, particularly around Mount Pleasant, where some areas could see more than an inch of snow. Ohio residents are also preparing for light snow showers extending into Monday, with temperatures dropping below 25°F and wind chills as low as 10-15°F.
The Southeast will not be spared, with temperatures forecasted to plummet 15 to 25 degrees below historical averages by Monday. In Atlanta, the high on Monday is projected to be in the mid-40s, significantly below seasonal norms. This cold snap could challenge temperature records in cities like Huntsville, Alabama, and Savannah, Georgia.
The Northeast will also feel the impact, but not until early next week. Areas in New Jersey have already experienced their coldest morning of the season, and colder air is expected to sweep in following a period of showers. The Washington, D.C., metro area remains under a frost advisory while anticipating milder conditions over the weekend before the chill arrives.
As the Arctic air mass moves in, residents across the affected regions are advised to prepare for potentially life-threatening cold and hazardous weather conditions. Monitoring updates from the National Weather Service will be crucial as these dangerous temperatures and weather conditions unfold. Share this urgent news with friends and family to ensure everyone is prepared for the severe cold ahead.
