Several Waves of Arctic Air on Tap for Large Portion of U.S.

The colossal winter storm slamming parts of the central U.S. this weekend is a sign of things to come over the next few weeks as forecasters warn that multiple rounds of Arctic air will invade the U.S. Here is a look at this frigid forecast.

Cold Weather Pattern Not Going to Abate Soon

The weekend kicked off on a noticeably colder note for much of the nation. The northern Plains and the Upper Midwest saw the bitter temperatures with the central Plains getting in on the cold shortly after. This mass of cold air is forecast to continue to push to the south by the end of the weekend and into the early parts of next week. Areas as far as the coastal Southeast will see the winter like temperatures in the days ahead.

Unfortunately for those already tired of Old Man Winter, more waves of Arctic air are on the horizon. Temperatures are expected to plunge well below the historical average, even by January standards.

The latest forecast models indicate that widespread readings landing 12 to 25 degrees below average will be the norm for a good part of the central and eastern U.S. through at least January 12. There is the chance that some areas could see the mercury fall as much as 40 degrees below the historical average by the time the cold snap is over. Keep in mind that this is already the time of the year when temperatures are at their lowest.

The areas likely to see the greatest departure from normal temperatures will be throughout the northern Plains and the Midwest and down into the interior portions of the Southeast. The continual stream of cold temperatures may place additional strain on energy grids. The issue will be the most problematic in areas not accustomed to seeing cold temperatures of this degree.

Stormy Conditions Will Accompany Cold Temperatures

The waves of Arctic air will be paired with waves of wintry precipitation over the next few weeks, amplifying the potentially dangerous impacts. These effects are already being felt in the Midwest as a snow and ice storm roars across major metropolitan areas such as Kansas City.

Traffic was brought to a standstill on Saturday afternoon in the metro area on the border of Kansas and Missouri when ice began to glaze the roadways. The ice started to change to snow later in the day. The forecast is calling for 8 to 12 inches of snow by the time that the storm pushes to the east late Sunday.

Winds will also be an issue as the storm advances. Gusts on Sunday and into Monday are forecast to range between 25 to 35 mph for the central U.S. and into the Tennessee Valley. The high winds will pair with the already cold temperatures to the north to bring real feel readings down to dangerous levels.

The southern flank of the storm will deliver powerful thunderstorms throughout the day Sunday and into the overnight hours. The south-central U.S. and the Gulf Coast are in the line of impact for these robust storms thanks to the warm and moisture-rich air still in place in this region.

Just as the Gulf Coast and the southern U.S. are recovering from the rash of severe weather on Sunday, the region will get hit with the subfreezing temperatures to start the new work week. It will be the first time this season that the mercury dips below the freezing mark for many communities in this part of the country.

For instance, New Orleans is forecast to go from a high in the mid 70s on Sunday to lows that settle at about 37 degrees overnight. Monday's highs will struggle to break out of the mid 40s in New Orleans despite an abundance of sunshine replacing the stormy conditions. The temperatures are predicted to drop to 34 degrees after the sun sets on the bayou on Monday.

As cold as it will be along the Gulf Coast, it will be even more freezing to the north. Temperatures throughout the central states will slip into the teens and as low as several notches below zero at various times this week. This is the temperature in which frostbite becomes a worrisome issue. Be sure to cover all exposed skin when heading outside even for a few minutes.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

The mercury will also fall low enough to trigger frozen pipes in poorly insulated homes and businesses. There are a number of steps that you can take now to reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

According to the American Red Cross, opening the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms can promote better circulation of warmer air around the plumbing sources. Those with young children and pets in the home will want to be careful about what is inside the cabinets that are left open.

Pipes are more likely to become frozen if they are clogged. This makes it important to be proactive about breaking down soap scum or using plungers to clean drains. Periodic professional drain cleaning can go a long way in preventing blockages before they become serious problems.

Another simple tip recommended by the Red Cross is to allow a slow drip of water from the faucets in the home. Even a small trickle will help to prevent pipes from freezing during frigid conditions.

You should also resist the urge to turn the temperature on the thermostat down at night. While this may save a bit of money on heating costs, it will cost significantly more to repair a busted pipe.

Lastly, it is good practice to eliminate drafts where water supply lines are located. Preventing the flow of cold air near these pipes will reduce the risks of bursts. Some of the most common areas that should be checked for excessive drafts include attics, basements, garages, and under bathroom and kitchen counters where pipes are located.

Should you notice that a pipe in your home has become frozen, you can thaw it by soaking towels in hot water and wrapping this heat around the cold part of the pipe. An electric hair dryer can also be used to thaw frozen pipes.

When Will Relief Arrive?

When will the cold wave be over? Some areas may begin to see a slight increase in the temperatures by the end of the week. For instance, Omaha will climb from highs in the teens and 20s during the first half the week to the freezing mark by Thursday. However, another slight dip will bring the mercury down to about the 30-degree level for Friday and the weekend.

It will take longer for the warmer readings to reach areas farther to the east. Chicago will likely need to wait some time to enjoy temperatures that climb above the freezing mark. The Windy City is forecast to remain in the upper 20s and barely at the 30-degree mark for highs for the next few weeks. Overnight lows will hover in the teens and low 20s during this time period, making for a frigid stretch of weather for the western Great Lakes region.

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