A multiday arctic blast will drop temperatures, bringing dangerous cold to the Plains and well-below average temperatures to most of the country. The FOX Forecast Center said there is no end in sight for this cold spell with lows 30 to 40 degrees below average next week.
The polar vortex returns to the lower 48 this week, and frostbite-inducing temperatures for millions will last through next week.
Arctic air will descend and spread across the U.S. early this week and into next week, with temperatures plummeting 30 to 40 degrees below average for this time of year.
An expansive mass of Arctic air will spread across the country from late this weekend into late next week, with temperatures remaining well below normal. Some areas will see temperatures plummet 30 to 40 degrees below average for this time of year.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this extreme cold appears locked in, with a deep freeze likely lasting through the end of the month.
(FOX Weather)
Wicked wind chills for the Northern Tier
The north-central U.S. will suffer from the most extreme cold, with wind chills as low as negative 60 for parts of the Dakotas, Montana and Minnesota.
Despite this outlook, these aren’t likely to reach record lows. Still, the cold is dangerous and frostbite is possible within minutes to exposed skin.
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National Weather Service offices across the region have issued cold weather advisories for 50 million Americans, including Extreme Cold Warnings for North Dakota, northern South Dakota, and central and northwestern Minnesota.
Cold weather alerts in place for the Northern Plains through Wednesday.
These areas are forecast to experience life-threatening wind chills from Sunday evening through Wednesday morning, with wind chills 60 below zero. Under these conditions, frostbite can occur within minutes.
Records lows are possible across the Plains by Wednesday, and hundreds of cities are facing potential record-breaking morning low temperatures.
Major cities across the Plains, including Kansas City, could see low temperatures well below zero.
The situation is more concerning as the Arctic air pushes into the Deep South later this week, enveloping areas not accustomed to extreme cold.
(FOX Weather)
Dallas is forecast to see a morning low temperature in the mid-teens on Wednesday with freezing temperatures as far south as Houston and Mobile, Alabama.
The FOX Forecast Center warns parts of Texas could experience cold rivaling the infamous Texas freeze of 2021.