A potent arctic blast is sweeping across North America, gripping millions of residents with frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall. From the Great Lakes to deep down South, communities are bracing for one of the coldest phases of the season. This early December chill follows hard on the heels of recent storm systems, which wreaked havoc during the busy holiday travel period, causing delays and cancellations at airports across the country.
The FOX Forecast Center has confirmed this dramatic weather change, stating the arctic air is pushing south from Canada, bringing with it dangerously low temperatures and wind chills across numerous cities. On Sunday morning alone, temperatures plummeted to single digits across parts of the northern Plains, and the chilling effect is felt much farther, with wind chill factors making it seem even colder.
According to FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari, "The afternoons really haven't been too bad. I mean, yes, this is cold air. But after you have a morning down around zero or the wind chills like below zero, you get up to about 30 degrees or so and yeah, you’ll still have your wind chills in the 20s, but it could be worse during the afternoon." Nevertheless, for cities like Minneapolis, the morning temperatures were still shiveringly low, dipping well below freezing.
But it’s not just the Midwest feeling the effects; even southern cities are now tasting the chill of winter. Cities all the way down to Tallahassee, Florida, recorded below-freezing temperatures on Sunday, indicating just how far-reaching this cold front is.
Winter weather warnings have been posted for extensive areas, particularly those near the Great Lakes, where lake-effect snow has already dumped over 40 inches of snow, leaving communities battered and paralyzed. Buffalo, NY, is one such city where preparation is key as residents dig out from the heavy snowfall, exacerbated by the strong winds.
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and other states along the central part of the country are expected to confront similarly severe conditions. Major cities like Chicago and Indianapolis will struggle to climb out of the 20s, whereas Columbus, Ohio, is projected to remain locked in the upper 20s, with New York City not faring much warmer at the week’s start, hovering around 38 degrees.
The situation is expected to evolve over the coming week. A potent clipper system is forecasted to hit Michigan by late Wednesday, potentially transitioning the already-present winter weather challenges to more complicate systems as the cold front mingles with moisture over the Great Lakes. This could lead to more substantial snow, particularly for Michigan’s northern areas.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings indicating significant lake-effect snow could yield snowfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches, especially across the Upper Peninsula and regions adjacent to the windswept lakes, leading to dangerous travel conditions. Gusts are anticipated to reach 40 to 50 mph, driving wind chills below zero.
Adding to the urgency, marine conditions are deteriorated as waves on Lake Superior rise dangerously high, with estimates predicting swell heights could escalate to as much as 20 feet. This maritime peril compounds the plight facing travelers and emergency responders alike as snow-blown roads decrease visibility significantly.
With advisories frequently extended and updated by meteorologists and the National Weather Service, residents are urged to stay informed through local news outlets and follow safety recommendations. The bottom line for many parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions for the next several days includes preparation for biting cold, heavy snow, and treacherous travel.
Cold air is expected to persist, with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center indicating much of the eastern half of the United States will be subjected to below-average temperatures, especially throughout Northeast and New England. And with several rounds of arctic air projected to sweep down from Canada, the gripping winter's reach has only begun, making it imperative for millions across the affected regions to plan and adjust for weather challenges heading through December.
