URGENT UPDATE: A severe Arctic Blast is sweeping across the United States, bringing deadly subzero temperatures and snow as far south as Florida. Millions are bracing for record-breaking lows as this winter weather front moves rapidly through the country.
On December 1, 2023, temperatures plummeted overnight, with more than a dozen cities from the Midwest to the East Coast shattering previous low records. Meteorologists have dubbed this phenomenon the “Arctic Blast,” which is expected to persist over the coming days. Wind chills in parts of the Northeast have plummeted to a staggering -31 degrees in New Hampshire, while areas south of the Washington D.C. metro area received up to three inches of snow this morning.
Meteorologist Renee Duff warned that, “The week will end with some of the coldest air of the season so far, as a front advances from the Midwest into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.” This Arctic air is just the first of three expected cold outbreaks throughout December. A second wave is forecasted for next week, followed by another anticipated in the middle of the month.
Early next week, temperatures in the Northeast cities of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York will drop another 10-15 degrees, plunging well below freezing. The cold front will also push southeast, causing temperatures to dip to between 10 to 25 degrees below average across the region.
In the upper Midwest and Central Plains, while slight warming is expected over the weekend, many areas will still see highs struggling to reach the teens. The harsh conditions are expected to create hazardous travel situations and increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for those exposed to the elements.
Authorities urge residents to prepare for these extreme conditions. “The cold air will be transient,” said meteorologist Tony Fracasso, emphasizing that, while it won’t linger indefinitely, the northern half of the US is set to experience below-average temperatures for the first weeks of December.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this developing weather event impacts millions across the nation.
