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Cold Weather Chills the Nation Down to the Gulf
December 13, 2025 at 02:57 PM EST
By WeatherBug's Anna Ruhl
In the path of a weak low-pressure system that brings snow to the Midwest and Northeast, extreme cold weather and brutally cold wind chill values will bring a bitter cold to much of the Nation.
Extremely cold and dry Arctic air will follow the path of a weak low-pressure system that brings snowfall to much of the Midwest and Northeast. This cold air will drop temperatures to negative digits along the Great Lakes. Much of the Midwest and Northeast will see temperatures significantly below freezing, sustaining temperatures in the single digits and teens.
Dangerously cold wind chill values will be the lowest on Monday morning. Wind chill values will generally be between the –20s and 0 degrees across the Midwest and Northeast with some areas even reaching as low as the –40s. Although Monday morning wind chill values will be the lowest overall, there are still areas that will see similar temperatures as soon as this evening.
Several Cold Weather Advisories have been issued for these cold temperatures and wind chill values. These advisories are in effect for eastern Montana, North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, eastern Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio.
After bringing chilled air to the Midwest, a cold front will migrate southward, bringing Arctic air into the Central Plains, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and all the way down to the Gulf Coast.
As this frigid air travels south, temperatures in the single digits and teens will infiltrate the Central Plains. Gulf Coast states are not free from these frigid temperatures, as many of the states along the Gulf will see temperatures in the 20s and 30s.
For the Gulf Coast, these temperatures will be significantly below average, as average low temperatures at this time of year are in the 40s. These low temperatures will still be a little warmer than last January’s record cold snap, when temperatures along the entire Gulf Coast dropped into the upper teens and lower 20s.
Dangerously low wind chill values will also meet their fate in the south on Monday, as temperatures will feel as if they are in the 20s and 30s as far south as the Gulf Coast. This widespread cold will affect the Central Plains, Tennessee Valley, and Mid-Atlantic as well; however, these areas will feel colder. These areas could feel as cold as temperatures in the teens.
Several Cold Weather Advisories have also been issued for these cold temperatures and wind chill values. These advisories are in effect for Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, Georgia, northern Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and southeastern Texas.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if there isn’t wintry precipitation present, it is still dangerous to be exposed to these low temperatures for a prolonged period of time. Exposure without proper skin coverage could lead to several cold-related illnesses that are preventable with proper cold-weather preparations.
It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to avoid travel in rough weather, as the roads will be dangerous
Extremely cold and dry Arctic air will follow the path of a weak low-pressure system that brings snowfall to much of the Midwest and Northeast. This cold air will drop temperatures to negative digits along the Great Lakes. Much of the Midwest and Northeast will see temperatures significantly below freezing, sustaining temperatures in the single digits and teens.
Dangerously cold wind chill values will be the lowest on Monday morning. Wind chill values will generally be between the –20s and 0 degrees across the Midwest and Northeast with some areas even reaching as low as the –40s. Although Monday morning wind chill values will be the lowest overall, there are still areas that will see similar temperatures as soon as this evening.
Several Cold Weather Advisories have been issued for these cold temperatures and wind chill values. These advisories are in effect for eastern Montana, North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, eastern Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio.
After bringing chilled air to the Midwest, a cold front will migrate southward, bringing Arctic air into the Central Plains, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and all the way down to the Gulf Coast.
As this frigid air travels south, temperatures in the single digits and teens will infiltrate the Central Plains. Gulf Coast states are not free from these frigid temperatures, as many of the states along the Gulf will see temperatures in the 20s and 30s.
For the Gulf Coast, these temperatures will be significantly below average, as average low temperatures at this time of year are in the 40s. These low temperatures will still be a little warmer than last January’s record cold snap, when temperatures along the entire Gulf Coast dropped into the upper teens and lower 20s.
Dangerously low wind chill values will also meet their fate in the south on Monday, as temperatures will feel as if they are in the 20s and 30s as far south as the Gulf Coast. This widespread cold will affect the Central Plains, Tennessee Valley, and Mid-Atlantic as well; however, these areas will feel colder. These areas could feel as cold as temperatures in the teens.
Several Cold Weather Advisories have also been issued for these cold temperatures and wind chill values. These advisories are in effect for Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, Georgia, northern Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and southeastern Texas.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if there isn’t wintry precipitation present, it is still dangerous to be exposed to these low temperatures for a prolonged period of time. Exposure without proper skin coverage could lead to several cold-related illnesses that are preventable with proper cold-weather preparations.
It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to avoid travel in rough weather, as the roads will be dangerous