Arctic Blast Set to Bring Record-Breaking Cold Across United States

An intense Arctic air mass is poised to deliver some of the coldest temperatures the United States has experienced in the past year. This upcoming cold snap, expected to begin this weekend, is anticipated to be more severe and widespread than the January 2023 freeze that impacted NFL games and the Iowa caucuses.

The Central US will experience a brief warming period Thursday and Friday, giving cities like Oklahoma City and Kansas City their first above-average temperatures of 2024. However, this temporary warmth will make the approaching cold feel even more severe.

The frigid air mass, originating from Siberia near the Arctic Circle, will first move across Canada before descending into the northern United States early Saturday. The cold front will then spread across the Western and Central US on Saturday, reaching the South and East by Sunday. By Monday, temperatures could plunge nearly 30 degrees below normal across much of the continental US during what is traditionally the year's coldest period.

North Dakota is expected to face the most extreme conditions. Bismarck could see its first below-zero high temperatures since last January on both Sunday and Monday. Northern parts of the state may experience lows between -25 and -30 degrees by Monday morning. When combined with wind, wind chills could reach dangerous levels of -40 to -50 degrees, creating conditions where frostbite can occur within 10 minutes.

The cold's reach will be extensive, with single-digit wind chills possible from Nevada to Maine and down to Texas. Dallas is forecast to barely rise above freezing on Monday, while Chicago may only reach 10 degrees. The East Coast and Southeast won't be spared, with northern New England likely seeing highs in the single digits and teens, while the mid-Atlantic to Southeast regions can expect temperatures in the 30s and 40s.

The severe cold could persist through Tuesday, potentially bringing wintry conditions to the South, though specific impacts remain uncertain.

While much of the U.S. may face colder conditions during this period, Oregon's temperatures are projected to remain within the normal range for January.