Ice storm warning as more than 40 million Americans prepare for freezing weather

More than 40 million Americans are bracing for freezing temperatures as an arctic blast will engulf a dozen states from Idaho to Michigan.

Nearly 900 flights have been canceled across the country as the heavy snowstorm and arctic winds that swept the northern Plains and upper Midwest over the weekend continued.

Temperatures are forecast to plummet up to 40F degrees below average in the coming days as millions remain under wind chill advisories.

The stun weather bomb will see a gust of wind chill across the nation’s northern tier, which can cause frostbite after just 10 minutes of exposure.

Numerous states have been placed under wind chill advisories, which could result in more travel chaos later in the week.

The National Weather Service issued the wind chill advisory due to a ‘prolonged and potentially significant’ freezing weather front, as ice buildup is expected in at least 15 states, stretching from the northern Plains to the Tennessee Valley. .

States affected by severe weather warnings include regions of Texas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Montana.

“Freezing rain total amounts could become significant in parts of central Texas, southwestern Oklahoma, central Arkansas and western Tennessee, where ice accumulation of more than a quarter of an inch is forecast,” said the meteorologist.

“In addition, there is a low to moderate chance for ice accumulation of more than a half inch over three days in parts of central Texas and Arkansas.”

Parts of Arkansas, Mississippi and western Tennessee are expected to be under an ice storm warning beginning Monday night, as the warning states that travel could be “nearly impossible” in the region through Wednesday morning. late.

After a month marked by above-average temperatures and mild weather in much of the country, millions of people will be affected by the drop in temperatures in the coming days.

By Tuesday, the freezing weather front will spread south across parts of Texas and Oklahoma, including Austin, Dallas and Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is forecast to be hit with up to an inch of snow along with strong wind chills and frost, while Springfield, Missouri is forecast to see up to an inch of snow and sleet.

“Snow will result in reduced visibility and snow/ice will produce hazardous driving conditions,” the weather service warned.

Dozens of states will be under weather alerts through Wednesday, with freezing rain and sleet expected to batter East Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley, potentially causing scattered flash flooding.

Several Texas school districts closed amid winter weather warnings, while hundreds of flights from North Texas airports were canceled Monday after arctic weather arrived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Travel chaos will spread across a dozen states as gusty wind chills and severe snowstorms are forecast throughout the week.

Over the weekend, several states were covered in snow as winter weather progressed, as Colorado’s mountainous regions were left with nearly 3 feet of snow.

Areas of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and northern Utah will continue to see light to moderate snowfall through Monday.

The central Appalachian regions will also be affected by more snowfall, spreading to the Northeast over the next few days, as New England will see up to 7 inches of snow by midweek.

States including Washington, Minnesota and Illinois have already been blanketed by the arctic storm, with lows averaging well below -15F in many areas.

The piercing temperatures will feel even colder as the weather front will bring gusts of -45F wind chill up to 30mph in affected states.

Severe weather conditions will push east through the week as Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Boston all forecast freezing temperatures.

“Dangerously cold temperatures and chills are forecast across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest through early next week,” the Weather Prediction Center said over the weekend.

The snowstorm killed one person Sunday when severe weather caused a 40-car pileup on a Wyoming interstate highway, pictured

The approaching freezing weather front is expected to cause more travel chaos after Wyoming was hit with icy roads and low visibility over the weekend.

Another horrifying traffic accident was caused by the arctic blast in Wisconsin over the weekend, in which at least 25 people were rushed to hospital amid a massive 85-car crash.

Well below normal temperatures are expected across the central and northern plains to the inland parts of the Pacific Northwest over the weekend into early next week.

‘This would be the coldest weather since Christmas for this region, with locations from eastern Montana to northern Minnesota likely to remain below freezing for highs Saturday through Monday, and perhaps into Tuesday.

“The wind chill could reach 40 degrees below zero at times in these areas. Highs in the 0 to 10 degree range can extend as far south as northeastern Colorado and northern Kansas.

The freezing weather front may come as a surprise after a January that has been marked by clear weather and mild temperatures for many.

Chicago and Kansas City are averaging more than nine degrees warmer than normal in January, while Minneapolis and Oklahoma City have been more than six degrees above average.

He Instead, the drastic change is expected to cause severe travel chaos in more than a dozen states, particularly due to icy roads and high winds.

Treacherous travel conditions are expected to continue across the Midwest throughout the week, with temperatures dipping Tuesday to -14F degrees in Des Moines and -23F degrees in Minneapolis.

Travel chaos has already killed one person Sunday in Wyoming as the A heavy snowstorm caused a devastating 40-car interstate crash.

A large portion of Interstate 39/90 in Wisconsin was also closed Friday afternoon after winter conditions led to a horrifying 85-car crash.

At least 25 people were taken to hospital after the collision, which investigators confirmed was at least partially caused by freezing weather.