Arctic blast hits US bringing life-threatening cold, South braces for snowstorm
A record-breaking Arctic cold snap is sweeping across much of the United States as the Great Lakes deal with heavy snow and the South prepares for a significant winter storm.
Saturday brought record-breaking cold to much of the northern Plains, with Montana feeling the deepest chill. Chester, Montana, clocked in as the coldest spot in the nation when the temperature plunged to a mind-numbing minus 54 degrees.
MORE: How to stay safe and prepare for freezing temperatures
In Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, football fans braved negative-degree wind chills to watch the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins.
Wind chill alerts are in effect Sunday across two dozen states from Colorado to Illinois to Texas.
On Sunday morning, the wind chill -- what temperature it feels like -- fell to minus 35 degrees in Kansas City -- the coldest since 1989.
Chicago is facing blowing snow and life-threatening cold.
Blowing/drifting snow & 20 below zero wind chills continue to make it very dangerous out. In open areas, we're getting reports of near whiteout/blizzard conditions w/snow drifts several feet deep on some roads. Video from our shows visibility down to 1/2 mile at our office! pic.twitter.com/yJjKrISUza
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) January 14, 2024
And in Iowa, wind chill warnings have been issued across nearly the entire state as residents gear up for Monday's caucuses. It could feel as cold as minus 35 degrees in Des Moines on Monday morning.
The record-breaking cold temperatures will persist in the southern Plains over the next few days, with Dallas, Nashville and Little Rock, Arkansas, feeling the freeze.
MORE: Final stretch before Iowa caucuses rattled by extreme cold
In the Northeast, extremely heavy snow and whiteout conditions are pounding the Buffalo, New York, area, where New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a travel ban.
Current view of downtown Buffalo. Looks like a pretty good day to not have a football game.
Please, stay home and stay safe. pic.twitter.com/PXwGxcMLk7
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 14, 2024
MORE: What every motorist needs to know about driving in snow
The Buffalo Bills were set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but the game was pushed to 4:30 p.m. Monday because Sunday's snow forecast would make driving extremely dangerous.
Snowfall rates are reaching up to 2 inches per hour and travel around Buffalo is nearly impossible.
Conditions right now in Orchard Park, where the game would have started moments ago.
No visibility and dangerously high winds. pic.twitter.com/m1zUjx55r0
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 14, 2024
The Buffalo and Watertown, New York, areas will see snow totals of 1 to 3 feet by the time the storm tapers down early in the week.
And in the larger Northeast region, snow squalls are in the forecast on Sunday.
Latest radar & forecast showing snow squalls this afternoon in the Southern Tier, Capital District, Hudson Valley, & New York City.
New Yorkers should prepare for whiteout conditions, high winds, & flash-freeze on untreated roads. Please, stay safe & avoid unnecessary travel.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 14, 2024
Here is a model simulation (HRRR) of snow shower activity expected to push across later today. The timing is expected to be from approximately 12 pm to 4 pm from west to east. #nywx #njwx #hvwx #ctwx #nycwx #liwx pic.twitter.com/nnvq76TDLV
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) January 14, 2024
Meanwhile, a new storm will bring snow and an icy, wintry mix to the South.
Light freezing rain or freezing drizzle is possible Monday morning across a large swath of Texas, including Dallas and Austin, making roads very treacherous.
Snow is in the forecast for Little Rock and Nashville. Up to 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible in Memphis.
Even Shreveport, Louisiana, could see sleet and 1 to 2 inches of snow.
Arctic blast hits US bringing life-threatening cold, South braces for snowstorm originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
