With the arrival of the holiday season, the U.S. is set to get a gift of frigid temperatures this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Every state in the continental U.S. is expected to have temperatures below 20 degrees on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).
While cold, arctic air is expected to impact most of the country as families and friends celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and more, people in some areas should brace for especially chilly conditions.
“Temperatures 40 degrees below average and dangerous life-threatening wind chills as low as 50 degrees below zero are possible in the northern Rockies and northern Plains,” said the NOAA. “Sub-zero to single-digit temperatures are likely across the central Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midsouth.”
All of Michigan is under a storm watch from Thursday through Saturday and a blizzard could bring feet of snow to parts of the state, WWJ said. Travel is expected to be challenging once snow starts falling.
“The combination of snow and wind is likely to lead to blizzard conditions in some areas, making travel dangerous, and at times, impossible,” said the NOAA. “Rapid and significant temperature decreases associated with this system raises the potential for the flash freezing of bridges and roadways.”
Chicago area residents were also warned about a winter storm heading to the city Thursday by the National Weather Service. This warning is expected to run through 6 a.m. Saturday, according to WBBM.
In Minnesota, schools had already announced closures due to winter weather conditions Wednesday, said WCCO. Twin Cities homeless shelters were also preparing for an influx of people in need during the holidays.
“Well below freezing temperatures will extend into the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and as far south as the Gulf Coast through the holiday weekend,” said the NOAA.
According to 1010 WINS, a “massive storm that’s threatening to disrupt holiday travel for millions of Americans will slam the New York City area with soaking rain and up to 60 mph wind gusts,” before the frigid arctic temperatures arrive on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day is expected to begin with 20-degree temperatures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, KRLD reported that afternoon highs are expected to be near 40 degrees.
“This event will be a huge shock to the body and to your pipes, but good news is, it won't last nearly as long as the winter blitz of 2021,” said the station.
Typically, winter months in Louisiana have balmy average seasonal temperatures “ranging from the mid-40s over northern Louisiana to the low 50s across southern parishes,” per the NOAA. However, New Orleans is also bracing for temperatures in the 20s this holiday week, said WWL.
Additionally, “a series of systems moving onshore in the Pacific Northwest will lead to several rounds of heavy precipitation this holiday weekend,” according to the NOAA. The administration offers winter weather safety tips to help Americans get through the cold burst.
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