Dangerously cold temperatures are about to sweep across the United States from tomorrow and through Christmas Day. An arctic blast will blow across Canada and make its way down through the Midwest and across the country very far south.
Due to this jet stream much of the country will see daytime lows ranging from 0 to -15 while CNN reports that “temperatures will drop so low in some places that frostbite could begin in as little as five minutes on exposed skin.”
Luckily Dallas and much of the Texas area look to be outside of the worst parts of the arctic storm’s wrath which is set to impact millions, but it will likely still be one of the coldest Christmas days that we have experienced in the last 40 years.
According to National Weather Service, “an arctic cold front arriving later this week will bring dangerous cold to much of the country, along with sudden, rapid temperature drop, snow squalls in portions of the West, and the potential for flash freezes from MidSouth to the East Coast.”
For Dallas Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, Thursday night into Friday morning will be the coldest report NWS. Low temperatures will reach single digits with wind chills below zero.
The weather company recommends avoiding extended time outdoors and covering exposed skin at all times. Pipes and other parts of building exteriors should be covered up for the next week at least due to being at risk from well below freezing temps and windy conditions late this week.
“80% of the Lower 48 will experience temperatures below freezing. Places as far south as Houston; Austin, Texas; Atlanta, and even Orlando are currently included on that list” writes CNN.
If you have any holiday travel plans this week make sure you’re checking where the weather will hit hardest as it will likely bring holiday travel to a standstill.
Blizzards and heavy snow may hit the Midwest where the biggest impacts from the storm will be felt. Places like Minneapolis and North Dakota will likely spend three to four days below zero from Wednesday onwards with wind chills having the potential to drop as low as 60 degrees below zero.
Though we won’t feel the brunt of it, the extreme cold will arrive in the south with many states struggling to get above freezing on Christmas Day and therefore a good chance of a white Christmas for many southern cities.
In all cases stay safe out there Dallas! As ever, you can head to the National Weather Service website for all the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
[Featured image from Shutterstock]