Siberian Air Mass Infiltrating Much of the U.S. in Days Ahead

Temperatures are going to dip to dangerously cold levels across the central and eastern U.S. this week. The frigid temperatures will seep to the south as the week progresses, putting millions of Americans in the path of the coldest weather of the season. Here is a more detailed look at this mass of Arctic air and who should prepare for the impacts.

Cold Air Originating in Siberia Plunges Into the U.S.

Temperatures will hover below zero for a long stretch of time for many areas. The bitter cold is already infiltrating the northern Plains to bring the weekend to a close. This cold air will creep to the east and the south throughout the week, reaching as far as the Gulf Coast.

Not only will the freezing temperatures be an uncomfortable annoyance but they will also place serious demands on energy grids. Agricultural interests may also see the disruptive impacts of this weather pattern. The readings will plunge low enough in some communities that local officials may be forced to cancel school because of the dangerous conditions.

Records May Fall with Cold Snap

Several record lows may be in jeopardy as the temperatures plunge. Forecasters are predicting that record-low maximum and minimum readings will be a possibility beginning Monday and continuing through Wednesday.

The influx of frigid temperatures is arriving right on time during the climatological peak of average cold readings. Record low readings will already be at the lowest levels simply because of the time of the year. As a result, it will be more challenging for new records to be set.

The heart of the cold snap will happen later in the day Monday for parts of the Dakotas and over into Minnesota and Wisconsin. Daytime temperatures will struggle to break over the 0-degree mark in this part of the country. That chill will be nothing compared to the forecast overnight readings of 20 to 30 degrees below zero.

Minneapolis is the biggest metro area that will experience the hazardous cold weather. The mercury is not expected to crack 0 degrees for an extended stretch beginning on Sunday and lasting until Tuesday. The longevity of the cold will put pressure on the energy supplies as heating systems work overtime to keep homes and businesses warm.

Overnight lows in the Twin Cities will bottom out at about negative 18 degrees on Monday and into Tuesday. The winds will also intensify on Monday in this part of the Upper Midwest, hitting speeds of 10 to 20 mph. These winds will serve to amplify the bitter cold.

You can expect the cold to move to the east into places such as Philadelphia by Tuesday and Wednesday. The City of Brotherly Love last saw a high temperature that topped out in the teens back in December of 2022. The latest forecast is calling for 19 degrees on Tuesday with temperatures dipping a notch or two lower on Wednesday. After Sunday's snowfall, the precipitation will move out of the metro area just in time for the cold air to arrive. This means that any snow accumulation is likely to hang around for some time.

Winds Will Make it Even More Miserable

The onset of the winds will make it feel even chillier. The beginning of the week will see the breezy conditions expand from the Midwest and the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast. For instance, Des Moines is forecast to see a high of just 10 degrees on Monday pairing with winds out of the west-northwest at 15 to 25 mph. Partly cloudy skies early in the day will transition to a cloud cover by the evening hours. Overnight lows are predicted to slide to negative 10 degrees heading into early Tuesday. The winds will ease a bit by Tuesday, clocking in at 10 to 15 mph.

Gusts will hover between 20 and 25 mph during the early part of the week. You can expect these winds to pick up further starting late Tuesday as a surge of energy pushes through the north-central U.S. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be the story for a zone from Montana and over into Nebraska by the middle of the week.

Although the temperatures will start to climb a bit by Wednesday in places such as Minot, North Dakota, the higher winds will keep the miserable conditions in place. Wednesday's forecast for this part of the northern Plains is calling for winds out of the northwest at 20 to 30 mph. Minot is expecting the mercury to inch up into the mid 20s for a high on Wednesday but the chance of snow will also increase at this time.

While the winds on their own will be a nuisance, they will pair with the cold air to exacerbate the dangerous conditions. The threat of frostbite and hypothermia will be a serious concern as the winds pick up. Forecasters are warning that real feel readings will drop to negative 40 to 50 degrees at times. It will only take minutes for the chance of frostbite to set in, making it important that people limit their time outdoors and cover all exposed skin when heading outside even for short times.

Meteorologists are warning that this is not a weather pattern to take lightly. This is a good time to make alternate arrangements if you have outdoor plans in the coming days. Stay tuned as we continue to update the forecast as the situation develops.

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