Frigid Temperatures Persist In The Central And Eastern U.S.

Extremely cold weather will remain across the eastern two-thirds of the country through midweek. Wind chills at or below freezing will be found as far south as the Gulf Coast!

A large Canadian high pressure system has settled into the central and eastern U.S. today and will remain in the region through Thursday. The result will be temperatures ranging from 10 to as much as 35 degrees below the normal for this time of year!

The coldest spots this morning will occur over the northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Midwest, where morning low temperatures are below zero. Temperatures are right around zero degrees into upper single digits for the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and the Appalachian Spine. Otherwise, expect teens and 20s for the central and eastern U.S.

These frigid temperatures combined with wind gusts up to 30 mph will make it feel even colder! Across the Great Lakes, Midwest and Ohio Valley, wind chill values could range from minus-10 to minus-20 degrees. Closer to the Deep South, Southeast and Gulf Coast, wind chill values will drop to around 0 degrees or perhaps even a few degrees below zero.

Wind Chill Advisories are in effect across the Great Lakes, Midwest, Ohio Valley and Appalachian Spine as well as the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, Deep South and parts of the Southeast. This includes Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Charleston, W. Va., and Roanoke, Va.

Unseasonably cold temperatures continue for for this afternoon. Expect high temperatures in the single digits and teens for the Upper Mississippi Valley, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, the Appalachian Spine and interior New England. Twenties and 30s will be found across the Mid-Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, with 40s and a few 50s for the rest of the East.

Lows Thursday morning will be very cold once again, with much of the central and eastern U.S. dropping into the teens and single digits. Temperatures will be well below zero in the northern Plains and parts of the Upper Midwest on Thursday.

This is the time to check on the elderly, keep pets inside, dress in as many layers as possible to avoid hypothermia and have an emergency kit on hand in your car for travels. 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.