A blast of Arctic air is moving across the United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service says “life-threatening cold air” will slowly move east from the High Plains and Rockies starting Friday. In some areas, temperatures could drop far below freezing, creating risky conditions for anyone outside.
Snow is already falling in areas downwind of the Great Lakes, which stretch across the US-Canada border. The larger storm is expected to form in Texas and New Mexico before moving east, covering cities like Memphis, Nashville, Washington DC, Baltimore.
Wind chills in the Northern Plains could drop below -50F (-46C), while parts of the southeast could also see sub-zero temperatures. The NWS warns that this extreme cold can cause hypothermia and frostbite to anyone exposed for too long.
It’s still too early to know exactly how much snow urban areas will get, but some places could see more than 12 inches (30 cm). Southern states may face freezing rain, which can coat trees with ice and lead to power outages. Roads could become dangerous, and visibility may drop in many areas.
Canada is also feeling the cold, with eastern and Atlantic regions likely to see snow. Experts say it’s too soon to know the full impact there.
Several US states, including Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, have declared states of emergency. This lets emergency teams, including the National Guard, prepare resources ahead of the storm.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state is making sure communities have the supplies they need before the weather hits. Officials also warn that pipes could freeze and burst, and roads could remain blocked for days in southern states with limited snow-removal equipment.
