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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Millions of people across the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest were under either extreme cold warnings or watches on Wednesday morning as temperatures plunged to deadly levels ahead of a winter storm set to wallop the Southern Plains and the Mid-Atlantic region beginning Thursday night.
The dangerously cold Arctic air will bring impacts across the Northern U.S. beginning on Wednesday night. It could plunge temperatures as low as 54 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, when taking wind chill into account. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued widespread alerts, warnings, and watches regarding the life-threatening temperatures that could cause hypothermia and frostbite in as little as 5 minutes.
"Frigid temperatures will expand across the eastern 2/3 of the country behind an Arctic cold front. Frigid sub-zero and single digit temperatures will expand from the Northern Plains Thursday into the Mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and Northeast by Sunday," the NWS said in a Wednesday forecast. "This Arctic blast will be accompanied by gusty winds, leading to dangerous wind chills. The coldest wind chills may fall below -50 across the Northern Plains. Extreme cold warnings, extreme cold watches and cold weather advisories are in effect for parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest beginning tonight."
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The cold is coupled by a frontal zone to the south, NWS said, which will combine to "produce a major winter storm from the Central/Southern Plains to the East Coast beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend."
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“The risk of ice, snow, and frigid temperatures is a dangerous combination," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter told Newsweek. "People traveling during this storm need to be prepared with emergency supplies in case they are stuck or stranded for hours in freezing and dangerous weather. People should be prepared for the risk of losing electricity and heat for days, possibly up to a week or longer in the hardest-hit areas. The combination of ice, snow, and bitter cold will likely slow efforts to repair downed power lines and clear the roads after the storm.”
Which States Are Under Extreme Cold Warnings?
NWS meteorologists have issued extreme cold warnings for two states: North Dakota and Minnesota. In North Dakota, the warning is set to take effect at midnight and will remain in place until Thursday at noon, with an extreme cold watch in effect through Sunday. Wind chill could make temperatures feel as cold as 54 degrees below zero.
In Minnesota, the warning will remain in effect through 6 p.m. local time on Thursday, and the watch will remain in place until Saturday morning. Temperatures could feel as cold as 51 degrees below zero.
Extreme cold watches are much more widespread. They have been issued in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois.
Extreme Cold Warning vs. Watch: What's the Difference?
An extreme cold warning is issued when dangerous temperatures or wind chills occur, according to the NWS.
"If you are in an area with an Extreme Cold Warning, avoid going outside," the NWS said. "If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination."
An extreme cold watch is issued when such conditions are possible, but the occurrence, location and timing are still unclear.
"As with a Warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day," the NWS said. "Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit."
A cold weather advisory is issued when cold temperatures aren't expected to reach the warning level, but could still be dangerous.
Weekend Winter Storm Forecast
The burst of cold air comes ahead of a winter storm set to wallop the Southern U.S. and Mid-Atlantic region this weekend. Widespread ice and snow are likely, stretching from Texas through New England. Forecasts are growing increasingly concerning as NWS meteorologists urge people in the affected areas to prepare before the life-threatening storm hits on Friday.
Winter storm watches have been issued across the impacted areas.
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