At a Glance
- 43 million people are under cold weather alerts from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast
- Wind chills could plunge to 40-50°F below zero across the northern Plains this weekend
- A weekend winter storm may bring heavy snow, ice and power outages from the central Plains to the East Coast
- Why it matters: Frigid air and accumulating snow threaten travel, schools and infrastructure across multiple regions
A brutal cold wave has locked in across the United States, and an even sharper surge of arctic air is forecast to arrive by the weekend. Alerts already stretch from the Upper Midwest through the central Appalachians into the Northeast, covering 43 million Americans Tuesday morning. Central Florida remains under cold weather advisories as well.
Wind chills early Tuesday are running 10 to 20°F below zero over the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, 5 to 10°F below zero in the interior Northeast and Ohio Valley, and in the single digits along the Interstate 95 corridor, including Washington and New York City. High temperatures nationwide are 15 to 25°F below average, and the chill will linger into Wednesday.
Local impacts have already materialized. Across the Philadelphia area, several school districts opened late Tuesday because of sub-freezing conditions.
Weekend Outlook: Record Cold Possible
While the current snap is harsh, meteorologists say the next surge could break records. Later this week and into the weekend, wind chills may tumble to 40-50°F below zero across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Record-setting cold could reach as far south as Texas.
Snow Still Flying in Spots
As of Tuesday morning, about 15 million people remained under winter weather alerts across the Great Lakes. Lake-effect snow continues in typical snow-belt zones, and a fast-moving clipper system is crossing the Upper Midwest.
| Region | Expected Snowfall |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis, Madison, Chicago | Less than 1 inch |
| Tug Hill Plateau, NY | Additional 2-4 feet through Wednesday |
In Michigan, whiteout conditions triggered a 100-car pileup near Grand Rapids. Multiple tractor-trailers spun off the roadway, pushing passenger vehicles into embankments and causing numerous injuries.
Major Weekend Storm Taking Shape
Forecast models show an expansive winter storm developing Friday through Sunday, potentially affecting millions from the central Plains to the East Coast. Early predictions indicate:
- Friday: Snowstorms across the Rockies and central Plains; ice in northern Texas and southern Arkansas
- Saturday: Snow for the central Plains, Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and North Carolina; wintry mix/ice from central Texas into the Southeast and South Carolina
- Sunday: Snow across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and possibly the Northeast; ice threat continues in the Carolinas and Southeast
Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain could lead to widespread power outages and life-threatening travel. While exact rain, snow and ice boundaries remain uncertain, confidence is growing for high-impact accumulations and prolonged cold.
Pet Safety in Winter Weather
Veterinary medicine expert Dr. Steven Marks warns owners to watch for seasonal hazards such as antifreeze poisoning and pets venturing onto frozen bodies of water.
Key Takeaways
- Alerts already blanket 43 million people; weekend cold may shatter records
- Wind chills could reach -40°F to -50°F across the northern Plains
- A significant winter storm Friday-Sunday may deliver heavy snow, ice and outages from the Plains to the East Coast
- Travel, power infrastructure and schools face mounting risks as the cold intensifies
