This wintry weather ain't fit for men, women, nor beasts. Bone-chilling freezing cold temperatures are spreading across much of the USA starting today as another Polar Vortex blows Arctic air everywhere. Nearly 200 million Americans are affected.
Back to back cold fronts will cut through the eastern two-thirds of the #USA to deliver one of the coldest arctic air intrusions in recent memory, especially from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. For the next few days expect frigid temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures.
Extremely low temperatures will drop to 30 below zero across much of The Dakotas, as well as Minnesota. Residents of The Windy City, known as Chicago Expect temperatures as low as 25 below zero for the first time since the mid-1980s.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Service forecasters in Iowa are warning this one could be the coldest air many of Americans will have ever experienced in their lives So avoid deep breaths, and talking altogether outdoors.
Some schools, zoos, and businesses are closed due to weather conditions, which forced the cancellation of more than 900 flights. A snowstorm will also slam the Deep South. If you're planning to brave the elements, make sure to stay warm by choosing a weather-appropriate outfit and knowing the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Gale Warnings have been posted means that sustained winds or frequent gusts of 34 to 47 kt are expected. Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires experience and proper equipment. It is therefore extreme;y recommended that mariners without this type of expertise seek safe harbors prior to the onset of these extremely dangerous gale conditions.
Back on land, here are the cold facts. Freezing temperatures will cover the lower 48 states for the first time in years. The forecast calls for a low of minus 21 degrees or minus 29 Celsius in Chicago and wind chills flirting with minus 65 degrees minus 54 Celsius in some parts of Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov These unusually cold temperatures could stick around another eight weeks, believe it or not at your own risk and peril.
