Frigid conditions are on their way to the northeastern United States this week after a powerful cold front sweeps through the region.
Bitter cold and high pressure are likely to arrive in the North Central states on Monday, with forecast temperatures in the middle teens in Chicago. This time of year the Windy City usually has afternoon temperatures just around freezing.
Cities up north, like Duluth, Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota, won’t have temperatures rise above 0 F all day on Monday. Daily temperature departures across the Upper Midwest could be easily 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit below normal on Monday, and gusty winds will allow conditions to feel even colder.
With gusty winds also sweeping through the area, it will be feeling even colder than the actual air temperature. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are forecast to be below zero across northeastern Iowa, northern Illinois and central Michigan on northward to the Canadian Border.
The cold air rushing over the warmer lakes will allow allow for lake-effect snow showers to expand south and east of the Great Lakes through Monday night as winds shift direction. Towns like Grand Marais and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, as well as Pulaski and Highmarket, New York, could have significant snowfall on Monday. Some places could even have a foot or two of snow with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 60 inches in New York.
This frigid air could also help increase ice coverage across the Great Lakes. As of Saturday, ice cover in the Great Lakes was below average, and this dip in temperatures could replenish some of the ice that’s missing.
“Our only concern is with how windy it will be over the next few days,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz, explaining that this can help hinder ice buildup by mixing the water.
Forecasters don’t expect ice buildup to hinder lake-effect snow production, but smaller bays could freeze up to help end more local impacts, like around Green Bay, Wisconsin.
As the week continues, the core of cold will shift eastward, shocking the East Coast with shiver-worthy temperatures.
“The coldest air of the season thus far will arrive for a majority of the Northeast and portions of the mid-Atlantic by Tuesday as Arctic air plunges into the northern U.S.,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert.
After the region was blasted by a quick-moving snowstorm last week and then impacted by an ice storm over the weekend, residents should get ready to bundle up as temperatures plummet and bitterly cold air settles in.
“In New York City, the lowest low temperature recorded so far in 2022 was 19 degrees Fahrenheit back on Jan 4,” said Gilbert, adding that on Tuesday, the high temperature will struggle to even reach 18.
High temperatures on Tuesday in Boston are anticipated to barely rise into the lower teens, which is over 20 degrees below the average in the upper 30s. In Albany, New York, temperatures aren’t forecast to rise above 10 F. Typically, the city has temperatures in the lower 30s in January. Temperatures will be largely 20-30 degrees above average across the Northeast.
Some locations, like Caribou, Maine, are forecast to never rise above the 0 F degree mark at all on Tuesday. The last time the temperature in Caribou failed to surpass 0 F in a single day was on March 11, 2017.
“With AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures expected to be 5-10 degrees lower than the actual air temperature across the region on Tuesday, anyone headed outdoors will certainly want to layer up,” warned Gilbert.
Those on the road should prep their vehicles with an emergency cold weather kit in case of breakdowns on the road. Homeowners are recommended to take extra care to avoid pipes bursting as temperatures drop and heating demands rise.
“By Wednesday, the coldest air is expected to make its journey out of much of the Northeast, but high temperatures in many locations will still be 8-10 degrees below normal,” said Gilbert.
The Big Apple will have high temperatures around freezing on Wednesday, below the average of around 40 F this time of year, while Boston is expected to rebound into the lower to middle 30s.
AccuWeather forecasters are also keeping an eye on a clipper system that could dive out of Canada and bring some light snow to the Great Lakes and Northeast during the second half of the week. Accumulations are anticipated to be light overall.
Extremely dangerous travel conditions ahead, so be very cautious while driving! Before leaving, check the weather forecast and tell loved ones where you’re going. If you become stuck in your car during a storm, being able to keep warm, signal distress, and stay safe, energized and nourished are top priorities.
For such purposes, you should pack the following items:
Well-being
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods such as nuts, granola bars, dried fruit or beef jerky
• Extra bottled water (Using an insulated bottle can help prevent freezing.)
• Cup or makeshift cup in which you can melt snow — using waterproof matches — for drinking water
• First aid kit including adhesive bandages, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap and pocketknife
• Rags and hand cleaner (such as baby wipes)
• Medications
• Books, games or DVDs for occupying children, if applicable
Warmth
• Hats, wool socks, coat, hand and feet warmers, gloves, scarves, and blankets (which you can use to both cover up with and insulate your car by putting them in your windows)
• Hiking boots (especially important if you must leave your car)
• Sleeping bag
• Rain poncho
Tools, distress signals and navigation
• Battery-powered flashlight, extra batteries and flares
• A brightly colored cloth, which you could tie to your vehicle’s antenna or secure atop your rolled-up window to ensure you are visible
• A cell phone (which you should fully charge beforehand) and portable cell phone charger
• Jumper cables, booster cables with fully charged battery or an external battery charger to start your car if the battery dies
• Basic tool kit
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Small fire extinguisher (5-pound, Class B or Class C type) in case of car fire
• Tire gauge to check pressure
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Tire or tow chains
• Glass scraper for clearing windows
• Small, collapsible shovel to clear snow from exhaust pipe, since a blocked exhaust pipe can cause sickening or deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the vehicle while the engine is running
• Sand or cat litter for gaining traction
• Road salt
• Anti-gelling fuel additive if your vehicle runs on diesel
• Extra winter windshield wiper and antifreeze
• General car emergency kit, which you should have on hand during any season: local and regional road maps, garbage bags, toilet paper, paper towels, and gas can.
• Jack and lug wrench to change tires
• Duct tape
• Foam tire sealant for minor tire punctures
• Scissors and string or cord
• Spare change and cash
• Compass
Keep safe and always be ready! [Accuweather, CNN]
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You should really subscribe to QFiles. You will get very interesting information about strange events around the world.
Typical mid Jan. week in the north east. Have less than 10 inchs for the season. Bring the lake effect. skiers and sledders need some fun time too.
Someone be sure to alert Juicy Smolleh that there will be favorable temps for his nighttime trip to SUBWAY! Also, there have been multiple sales of red hats, clotheslines, and bleach! We KNOW all of that can’t just be people washing clothes and hanging out to dry! Oh and another thought – tell him to steer clear of the alleys without security cameras because that’s where all those white Nigerians lurk!