A dangerous Arctic blast is barreling into the eastern United States, sending temperatures plunging well below zero and prompting urgent warnings from weather experts.
According to the New York Post, residents are being advised to bundle up and limit time outdoors, or risk frostbite and hypothermia.
The frigid front is expected to peak later this week, with Chicago, Michigan, upstate New York, and parts of the Midwest among the hardest hit. “It is dangerously cold,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told The Post.
“This Arctic air — an Arctic blast — is coming. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
The Northeast is forecast to feel the brunt of the blast over the weekend, with temperatures plunging roughly 30 degrees below normal for late January, Kines said.
“If you have to go outside, respect the cold,” he warned. “Layer up and only go out if you have to. When it’s that cold, it actually hurts sometimes when you first breathe in. It’s nothing to sneeze at.”
Parts of Minnesota and Illinois are particularly at risk, with officials cautioning that prolonged exposure could be life-threatening. The surge in heating demand may also strain local power grids, potentially causing outages in the hardest-hit areas.
New York City is bracing for bitterly cold weather, accompanied by snow, with temperatures expected to drop into the low teens over the weekend.
Thursday’s highs will reach 45 degrees with a low of 29, but the cold intensifies on Friday with a high of 36 and a low of 12.
By Saturday, NYC will see a high of just 19 degrees and a low of 12, followed by a snowstorm that could bring at least a few inches. Temperatures will hover near 15-20 degrees during the storm.
“This Arctic blast is serious. If you don’t like the cold, you better jump on a plane soon,” Kines added.
Officials are urging residents to prepare for both extreme cold and winter storms, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure pets and outdoor animals have adequate shelter.
Those planning to venture out should dress in multiple layers, cover exposed skin, and limit time outside to prevent cold-related injuries.
This Arctic blast is expected to linger into next week before warmer temperatures return to the region.
