'Life-threatening' cold weather to expand southward across the nation, impacting 235 million

The relentless and bitterly cold air is on track to return in earnest across a wide swath of the nation this week. Residents from the northern Plains to even the Gulf Coast will have noticeably cooler conditions through midweek, with some forecast to experience downright dangerous temperatures.

While many consider the persistent cold weather quite a nuisance, there may be more serious implications from the cold for farmers, certain businesses and even energy suppliers.

"The cold air will have wide-reaching impacts on everyday life and the economy, such as stressed power grids due to increased heating demands, closed schools, health impacts and dangerous AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor.

Due to the cold influx across the East from early this week to midweek, several records will be challenged. Forecasters say record-low maximum and minimum temperatures through Wednesday will be in jeopardy.

"This cold snap is coming at the climatological peak of winter when historical average temperatures hit their lowest values in many parts of the country. Since this is the heart of winter, record-low temperatures are near their lowest values as well. This may prevent widespread record-setting temperatures, but some record-low temperatures will likely be broken," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

The core of the cold was settling in on Monday over the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Actual daytime temperatures on Monday will not even breach the 0-degree Fahrenheit mark across a large part of this zone, while overnight temperatures are projected to drop as low as 20 to 30 degrees below zero.

The Minneapolis metro area remained below the 0-degree mark into the afternoon hours on Tuesday after dipping below zero on Saturday evening. The mercury finally climbed above zero after 2 a.m. CST on Wednesday.

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By Wednesday, the extreme cold has expand eastward to places like Philadelphia, where daytime temperatures will only climb into the upper teens. The last time the City of Brotherly Love observed a high temperature in the teens was in late December 2022.

Into Tuesday, wind gusts will generally range up to 20-25 mph from the Great Lakes to the Northeast, with a few stronger gusts in New England in the wake of the recent snowstorm. However, from Tuesday night to Wednesday, energy swinging into the North Central states will usher in stronger gusts, reaching speeds upwards of 30-40 mph from Montana to Nebraska.

Even a slight breeze paired with the frigid conditions can drop AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures substantially. The risk of cold-related illnesses such as frostbite, hypothermia and lung or immune system impacts increases as well.

"In areas that experience windy conditions, like much of the Midwest early this week, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can reach 40 to 50 below zero. It will feel brutally cold, and anyone adventuring outside can get frostbite on exposed skin in just a matter of minutes," noted Douty.

Those who must work outdoors no matter the conditions, such as farmers, utility company workers, emergency personnel or plow drivers, will have to take extra measures to protect themselves against the bitter cold into midweek.

The magnitude of the cold air is leading to a rapid freeze-up of area streams, rivers and lakes in the Central and Northeast states. The increasing ice is just what some fishing interests have been waiting for. However, the building ice may lead to dangers.

Long-time residents transport an ice fishing shed across the frozen Okabena Lake in Worthington, Minnesota, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

"As the ice cover builds, the risk of ice jams will increase later this winter and spring unless a gradual thaw occurs," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said, "Even though some ice will form on southern U.S. ponds and lakes, the ice will likely be too thin to support the weight of individuals and could give way."

Experts urge parents to monitor curious children and pets who may not have seen such a wintry condition like this before and may try to venture out on the ice to explore.

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