Icy Blast Ahead: US Braces for Extreme Cold

Get ready, folks! Mother Nature is dishing out a massive dose of Arctic air, and it's heading straight for the eastern two-thirds of the United States. This isn't your average winter cold; we're talking dangerously low temperatures that will affect over 70% of the country's population. The cold spell starts in the north-central US, with highs dipping into the single digits or teens for states like Montana, the Dakotas, and Minnesota. By the weekend, this chilly air will spread south and east, making it feel even colder than it actually is due to strong winds. Cities like Chicago, Kansas City, and Cincinnati will see highs stuck below freezing. It's not just about the temperature, though; wind chill can make it feel like the teens or even lower in places like Atlanta and Boston. Next week, it gets even worse. A brutal blast of bone-chilling air will hit the northern US, and by Tuesday, it will cover the eastern two-thirds of the country. Temperatures could plummet by 10 to over 30 degrees below normal, making it dangerous for anyone without heat or shelter. Even the Southeast won't be spared, with overnight lows dipping below freezing along the Gulf Coast. This cold spell might last into the second weekend of January, setting the stage for potential snow and ice in unexpected places. While it's too early to be sure, meteorologists are keeping an eye on the Midwest, Northeast, southern Plains, and Southeast for winter precipitation.