A significant cold snap is set to sweep across various regions of the United States as Arctic air descends, affecting over two dozen states and bringing winter-like temperatures ahead of schedule. This dramatic shift in weather is expected to begin this weekend in the Midwest, where temperatures could plummet by 10 to 20 degrees below average, creating a wintry atmosphere reminiscent of December from the Dakotas to Missouri.
As the weekend progresses, initial icy conditions may bring the first snowflakes of the season to parts of the Midwest, alongside enhanced lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes region. The colder temperatures will extend further south, even reaching Florida by early next week. A notable drop in temperatures could result in record lows across more than 20 locations in the Southeast by Tuesday morning.
The first significant temperature decrease will occur on Saturday, with areas in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest experiencing a swift drop. A mix of snow and rain is anticipated from the Dakotas to southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, as Minneapolis could face wind chills in the lower teens by Sunday morning, with temperatures struggling to reach freezing.
Chicago’s high on Sunday is expected to be in the mid-30s, approximately 15 degrees below average, while St. Louis will see similar drops with a high around 40 degrees.
Monday morning promises to be especially frigid for millions living east of the Rockies, threatened to reach record lows by Tuesday. Temperatures could drop to or below freezing in places as far south as Texas and extending to the Appalachians. Buffalo, New York, may wake up to temperatures in the 20s, climbing only to the mid-30s throughout the day, significantly lower than the typical early November highs of around 50 degrees.
Meanwhile, Atlanta is projected to experience a notable temperature drop, plummeting from a sunny high near 70 degrees on Sunday to the mid-40s on Monday, with nighttime temperatures potentially dipping to the upper 20s by Tuesday morning, marking the coldest temperature since February.
As many areas experience this deep freeze, daily record lows could be challenged in states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, southeast Louisiana, and Florida. Cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tampa may face unusually low temperatures, dropping to around the freezing point.
In the East, cities like Washington, D.C., and New York City could see their coldest mornings, with temperatures lingering near the freezing mark and wind chills dipping into the lower to mid-20s. However, this frigid spell is expected to be temporary, with a quick rebound toward more typical temperatures by Tuesday for much of the central U.S. and an overall warming trend for the East Coast by Wednesday.
Winter weather enthusiasts might find excitement as the incoming cold front could pave the way for accumulating snow in the cold belt regions downwind of the Great Lakes, particularly in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Accumulations are anticipated from Sunday night into Monday, with additional chances of snowflakes even reaching as far south as the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Elevated areas of the Appalachian Mountains could also see some snowfall, contributing to the picturesque winter landscape.
This winter preview serves as a reminder that the seasons can shift rapidly, offering both challenges and opportunities for those prepared to embrace the colder months ahead.