Wintry weather is sweeping across much of the United States this weekend, delivering brutally low temperatures and widespread snow.
Cold‑Weather Alerts Cover Nearly 50 Million People
The National Weather Service has issued alerts that will remain in effect through Monday morning for almost 49 million residents from the Northern Plains to the Southeast. Major cities under watch include Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Huntsville and Myrtle Beach.
Extreme cold is expected Saturday night in the Northern Plains and Midwest, with temperatures potentially falling to –25 °F. Wind chills of –30 °F to –35 °F are forecast for the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
That arctic air mass will shift eastward Sunday night, bringing sub‑freezing lows to the Northeast and Southeast. By Monday, overnight temperatures could rise into the teens, 20s and 30s, but wind chills will still feel about 10 °F colder.
Record lows are possible over the next two nights in Indianapolis, Charleston (SC), Mobile, Savannah, Baton Rouge, Tupelo and Myrtle Beach.
Daytime highs will remain well below normal—10 °F to 35 °F below average—from the Plains eastward, with sub‑zero readings expected Saturday afternoon in the Northern Plains. Sunday highs will linger in the single digits, teens and 20s across much of the Midwest, Northeast and Mid‑South.
Snow from the Plains Through the Mid‑Atlantic
A fast‑moving clipper system is delivering heavy snow and gusty winds to 58 million people spanning the Plains to the Mid‑Atlantic.
Cities under warning include the Quad Cities, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York.
Snow showers began Saturday morning across Iowa, Illinois and Indiana and will race through the Midwest Saturday afternoon, reaching the Ohio Valley and Appalachians by evening.
Video from Champaign, Illinois shows snow‑covered roads as the storm continued (view video), and footage from Iowa City captures a heavy blanket of snow early Saturday (view video).
The snowfall will move into the Mid‑Atlantic overnight, lingering in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston through Sunday morning. By mid‑afternoon Sunday, the system should drift offshore, ending most precipitation.
Expected accumulations: 2–5 inches across central Iowa and Illinois, with higher totals in the central Appalachians; 1–4 inches along the I‑95 corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston, with localized higher amounts in New Jersey and Long Island. Lake‑effect snow warnings persist through Monday, with up to 14 inches possible downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, accompanied by 35 mph gusts.
Flooding in the Northwest
After several rain‑soaked days, a high‑pressure ridge will give the Northwest a brief dry spell on Saturday.
Nevertheless, significant river flooding will continue, especially in western Washington.
Rain is expected to return Sunday, and a strong storm moving onshore Monday into Tuesday could bring another round of heavy precipitation and strong winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are under cold‑weather alerts?
Nearly 49 million people from the Northern Plains through the Southeast are currently under cold‑weather alerts.
What temperatures are expected in the Northern Plains on Saturday night?
Overnight temperatures could dip as low as –25 °F, with wind chills feeling like –30 °F to –35 °F in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Will the snow affect travel in the Mid‑Atlantic region?
Snowfall is expected to linger in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston through Sunday morning, with lake‑effect snow warnings adding up to 14 inches in some areas, creating difficult travel conditions.
How are you preparing for the upcoming cold snap and winter weather?
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