Arctic temperatures, snow, and flooding are sweeping across the United States, impacting millions of people and causing significant disruptions. Here's a breakdown of the extreme weather events unfolding across the country:
Bitter Cold and Wind Chills
- Impact Area: From the Northern Plains to the Southeast, including major cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, Huntsville, and Myrtle Beach.
- Cold Weather Alerts: In effect until Monday morning, with dangerously low wind chills expected.
- Extreme Temperatures: The Northern Plains and Midwest will see overnight temperatures plunge to -25 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday night.
- Wind Chill Effects: Wind chills will make it feel like -30 to -35 degrees in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- Mid-South and Southeast: By Monday, wind chills will drop into the teens and single digits, extending to the Mid-South and Southeast, with the Gulf Coast experiencing wind chills in the 20s.
Record-Breaking Cold Temperatures
- Record-Low Temperatures: Expected over the next couple of mornings in Illinois, Indianapolis, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.
- Below-Average Highs: Daytime highs will remain 10 to 35 degrees below average along and east of the Plains, with temperatures staying below zero in the Northern Plains on Saturday afternoon.
Snowfall Across the Country
- Impact Area: From the Plains through the Mid-Atlantic, affecting 68 million people.
- Winter Alerts: Some alerts will persist through Sunday midday.
- Snowfall: A quick-moving clipper is bringing heavy snow and gusty winds, with snow showers already hitting Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana on Saturday morning.
- Mid-Atlantic and Northeast: Snow will linger in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston through Sunday morning.
- Snowfall Totals: A swath of 2 to 5 inches of snow is possible in central Iowa, Illinois, and the Appalachians. The I-95 corridor will see 1 to 4 inches of snow from Washington, D.C., to Boston, with higher amounts possible in New Jersey and Long Island.
Lake-Effect Snow
- Lake Erie and Ontario: Lake-effect snow bands are expected to develop downwind of these lakes through the weekend.
- Lake-Effect Snow Warnings: In effect until Monday, with 7 to 14 inches of snow and 35 mph wind gusts, creating hazardous travel conditions.
Flooding in the Northwest
- Dry Break: After a rain-soaked few days, the Northwest will experience a dry break on Saturday due to an area of high pressure.
- River Flooding: Significant flooding will persist, particularly in western Washington.
- Rain Return: Rain will return on Sunday, with another strong storm moving onshore Monday into Tuesday, bringing heavy precipitation and strong winds.
