South Faces Record-Breaking Lows Amid Severe Temperature Swings

As winter swiftly approaches, significant temperature drops are sweeping across the southern United States. A surge of Arctic air has triggered record-breaking low temperatures, affecting more than two dozen states.

Overview of the Cold Front

This frigid weather event begins in the Midwest, where temperatures are predicted to plunge 10 to 20 degrees below normal over the weekend. The initial impacts are expected to reach regions from the Dakotas down to Missouri, creating conditions reminiscent of December.

• First snowflakes of the season may appear across the Midwest.
• The Great Lakes region will experience lake-effect snow due to these cold conditions.

Temperature Drops Across the U.S.

As the Arctic air spreads southward, even Florida will not be spared. By early next week, portions of the East Coast will experience similarly low temperatures. The Southeast is set to face record colds, with some areas expected to wake up to historically low temperatures by Tuesday morning.

State-Specific Forecasts

• Minneapolis: Anticipated wind chills could drop to the lower teens by Sunday, with air temperatures struggling to reach freezing.
• Chicago: Expected highs will be around the mid-30s, approximately 15 degrees lower than normal.
• St. Louis: Forecasted high near 40 degrees, also 15 degrees below average.
• Atlanta: Sunday will see a high near 70 degrees, plummeting to the mid-40s on Monday, with potential upper 20s by Tuesday morning.
• Buffalo, New York: Morning lows could drop into the 20s, with a high forecasted for the mid-30s.

Record-Low Temperatures and Snow Potential

Tens of millions are expected to encounter the coldest temperatures since spring. Cities in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, southeast Louisiana, and Florida may face daily record lows on Tuesday. Key locations at risk include:

• Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Savannah, Georgia
• Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida

Though much of the Eastern U.S. will remain chilly, Washington, DC, and New York City are poised for their coldest mornings, with temperatures around the freezing mark and wind chills in the low 20s.

Upcoming Weather Patterns

Fortunately, this cold snap will be short-lived. Temperatures across the central U.S. are expected to rebound to near or above normal by Tuesday. Additionally, the Arctic blast could usher in the first significant snow events of the year.

Regions downwind of the Great Lakes are most likely to see snowfall, particularly Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. As the cold front progresses, accumulating snow is expected from the higher elevations of the Appalachians, reaching parts of West Virginia and bordering North Carolina and Tennessee.