Extreme cold is forecast to spread across much of the U.S. this weekend and continue into next week

A powerful Arctic air mass will begin its southeastward spread from the Rocky Mountains on Friday, January 17, 2025, dropping temperatures well below freezing across much of the United States. The cold front is expected to sweep across the Gulf Coast and Midwest by Saturday night and will continue to do so by reaching the East Coast by Sunday evening.

From Saturday, January 18, through Tuesday, January 21, minimal wind chills of -34°C (-30°F) or below are forecast across portions of the Rocky Mountains, the Northern Plains, and the Upper Midwest.

The extreme cold puts exposed skin at high risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Residents are advised to carry cold weather survival gear and limit outdoor exposure when traveling.

Wind chill values ​​below 0°F (-18°C) are expected to extend into the southern Plains and Ohio Valley through Sunday night and continue through Tuesday. The cold air mass will likely linger along the Gulf Coast and Southeast for most of the following week.

Heavy snow squalls are expected to develop as the cold front moves south through the Rocky Mountains and into the High Plains. These heavy snowfalls, combined with gusty winds, can cause sudden whiteout situations, making travel treacherous.

The threat of snow squalls begins Thursday evening, January 16, over Montana and continues through Friday, January 17, over the central Rockies and High Plains.

Wind chills of -34°C (-30°F) or colder are expected to affect parts of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. By Sunday, January 19, subfreezing wind chills will expand into Texas, Oklahoma and the lower Mississippi Valley. Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to continue on the Gulf Coast and southeastern states through January 23rd.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of rapidly deteriorating road conditions during snow squalls with the possibility of icy patches and poor visibility.

References:

¹ US Day 3-7 Hazards Outlook – Weather Prediction Center – NOAA/NWS – Accessed January 15, 2025

Rishika holds a Masters in International Studies from Stella Maris College in Chennai, India, where she received a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she worked as a research assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she served as a junior writer Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as Assistant Editor for The world this week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu Newspaper that demonstrates its expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also the recipient of the District Level Women Empowerment Award in Haryana, India in 2022.