Winter Blast to Impact U.S., Bringing Extreme Cold and Unusual Weather across the Country

A new wave of winter weather is set to hit the U.S. in the coming days, with bone-chilling wind chills in the Northern Plains and unusual snow, sleet, and ice across the Gulf Coast. The cold temperatures prompted the relocation of President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, as Washington, D.C. braces for frigid weather.

From Sunday into the upcoming week, much of the U.S. from the Rockies to the Northern Plains will experience subzero temperatures, with wind chills potentially dropping to as low as minus 40°F (minus 40°C) in the Dakotas and northern Minnesota. National Weather Service officials warn that frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes in such extreme cold, urging people to limit outdoor exposure and wear proper winter gear.

Additionally, the storm will bring unusual wintry weather to regions like Texas, northern Florida, and the Carolinas, where snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected to disrupt travel. Louisiana has already declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm.

The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will also experience plowable snowfall, with 2 to 8 inches expected, potentially leading to hazardous travel conditions. Baltimore officials have canceled their annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade for the second year in a row due to winter weather concerns.

As cold temperatures persist through the week, Connecticut has activated its severe cold weather protocol to ensure vulnerable residents have access to shelter.