A major Arctic blast is set to hit half the United States just as millions of travelers make their way home after Thanksgiving.
Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to sweep across much of the eastern U.S., from Minnesota down to Texas, with conditions particularly severe in the Great Lakes region, where heavy snowfall is already accumulating.
Over the next few days, temperatures are expected to plunge 15 to 25 degrees below average, with wind chills dropping to dangerous levels. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warns that wind chills across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest could fall below zero, with some areas of North Dakota experiencing wind chills as low as -30 to -40 degrees.
These frigid temperatures bring an increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite, especially for those exposed to the elements. Travelers are advised to prepare for these conditions with winter survival kits.
The cold front will bring the coldest temperatures many have seen since mid-February. About 70% of the country will experience freezing conditions, with temperatures across the Central and Eastern U.S. ranging from 10 to 25 degrees below normal through the weekend.
Freeze watches are in effect for roughly 15 million people across states from Texas to South Carolina, with freezing temperatures expected on Saturday morning.
Lake-effect snow, fueled by the cold air moving over the warm waters of the Great Lakes, will bring the first significant snow event of the season.
The Buffalo National Weather Service warned of localized areas being paralyzed by snow, with major interstates such as I-90 between Cleveland and Buffalo and I-81 north of Syracuse likely to face difficult driving conditions.
The snowstorm could drop up to 5 feet of snow in places like Buffalo and Watertown, New York, through early next week. Winter weather alerts are in effect for over 6 million people, and the storm is expected to impact travel with snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches in some areas.
Officials are urging those in the hardest-hit areas to delay travel if possible due to poor visibility and treacherous road conditions. While the rest of the country is not expected to face major travel disruptions, the cold and snow will bring significant challenges for those in the affected regions.