In addition to the brutally cold temperatures, dangerous wind chill values of 35 to 55 degrees below zero are possible in these areas by the end of the week, a weather service warned. Photo: Portal Millions of Americans across much of the country are witnessing the week of sub-zero temperatures, made even harsher by heavy snowfall in several states in the center and northwest of the country this Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Bomb cyclone” is a term used by a meteorologist to describe a rapidly intensifying storm. More specifically, it’s a drop of 24 millibars (the term used to measure atmospheric pressure) in 24 hours.
They usually occur during wintry northeast winds, but in this case they are expected to occur on the flats due to the difference in extreme temperatures between the warm, humid air before the storm and the extreme arctic air masses inflowing from Canada.
On Tuesday, the sprawling weather system brought dangerously cold temperatures and snow to Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota, where maximum temperatures will remain below freezing, according to National Weather Service forecasters.
“In addition to brutally cold temperatures, dangerous wind chill levels of 35 to 55 degrees below zero are possible in these areas by the end of the week,” the Meteorological Prediction Center warned Monday.
Blizzard conditions could force the closure of O’Hare Airport during the storm’s peak, likely resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Chicago alone.
Wind chill advisories are in place for Sioux, South Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota Tuesday as the threat of freezing weather begins. Wind chill, which indicates how the wind feels, is up to 40 degrees below zero.
“Starting tonight, the worst arctic air mass will hit our area bringing dangerous temperatures and wind chill. Roads will remain slippery and additional snow cover is expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning,” the Glasgow, Montana, weather service office said Monday night.
Snow has already begun to fall in Seattle, which is under a winter storm warning Tuesday. The storm was moving east across parts of Idaho Tuesday morning and spreading across northern and central Montana by the afternoon.
As the storm moves east this week it could make holiday travel difficult if not dangerous in many places, so forecasters have urged people to brace for changes.
In Minnesota, the Twin Cities Weather Service urged residents to exercise caution during the “potentially hazardous weather week” with the worst effects in the Midwest beginning Wednesday.
“The bottom line is that travel will be very dangerous and life threatening later this week. So be ready to change your travel plans now,” the local weather service office said.
Many local governments in the affected areas have opened warming centers to help those in need.
Overall, most of the US is expected to experience unseasonably cold temperatures this week. In fact, more than 80% of the country, excluding Hawaii and Alaska, is expected to experience freezing temperatures.
Montana, Helena and Missoula are on a winter storm warning beginning Tuesday and Billings is under a wind chill warning through noon Friday.
The storm is also expected to strengthen as it nears the Midwest, where the greatest impact is expected. Snow begins to fall in the region on Wednesday and will continue for much of the Christmas weekend.
Several inches of fluffy snow is expected in parts of central Minnesota Wednesday, followed by strong winds creating the possibility of snowstorms.
A blizzard is defined as a wind of at least 40 mph combined with falling or driving snow that reduces visibility to at least 1,500 feet or less for at least three hours.
“For this Thursday, wind gusts of 65-80 km/h seem likely. When there is snow, blizzards are very likely throughout the area, including areas not normally favored by white storms,” the weather service said.
Chicago is expected to be one of the hardest-hit cities, with a winter storm watch in place Thursday night through Friday afternoon. With likely snowstorm conditions, holiday travel could grind to a halt for many looking to celebrate with family and loved ones.
“Conditions will worsen rapidly late Thursday afternoon, and snowstorms are becoming more likely between Thursday night and Friday,” said the Chicago Weather Service Bureau, home to one of the busiest intercity train stations and airports in the nation.
Meanwhile, even Southern cities unaccustomed to wintry conditions will have a brittle taste of this holiday season, with Austin, Houston, Atlanta and even Orlando at risk of experiencing freezing temperatures by midweek.
In Texas, the National Weather Service has reassured residents that this week’s unusually low temperatures are not expected to affect the state as severely as last year’s brutal winter storms, when millions of people lost power during a week of extreme weather phenomena in February 2021.
However, water pipes are threatened with bursting, the weather service said. A wind chill watch for Amarillo, Texas will be in effect Wednesday night through Friday afternoon.
“Outdoor pipelines will be at risk due to well-below freezing temperatures and winds later this week,” the Fort Worth Weather Service said. “Be sure to cover the pipes and let the faucets drip!”
(Adopted from CNN)