ARLINGTON, Va. − A harsh winter cold front gripped much of the country on Sunday, bringing some of the lowest temperatures seen this season. Millions of people, especially along the East Coast, prepared for challenging conditions with snow and ice in the forecast.

In the Upper Midwest, temperatures fell below zero, with wind chill factors hitting minus-20 degrees in certain areas. This intense cold is advancing east towards the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, coinciding with the upcoming Inauguration Day festivities. Due to the extreme cold, the ceremony in Washington, D.C., has been shifted indoors.

In Arlington, just outside Washington, Gabriel Deukmaji usually enjoys taking his kids to their bus stop in the mornings. This week, however, he plans to drive them to school.

“No amount of hot coffee is going to make standing at that bus stop a good idea,” Deukmaji, 40, told YSL News.

According to the National Weather Service, over 70 million people were placed under winter weather advisories and storm warnings on Sunday. The severe cold could have significant repercussions on local economies, strain power grids due to increased heating needs, lead to school closures, and pose health risks with “feels like” temperatures dropping to minus 50 degrees, as noted by AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor.

Snow and ice are predicted to extend from New England all the way to the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days. Boston anticipates receiving 4 to 8 inches of snow on Sunday night and Monday, while Philadelphia could see 3 to 7 inches, and Washington, D.C. is expecting 1 to 3 inches.

The South will also be affected: Charleston, South Carolina may see snowfall, and New Orleans is preparing for possible ice storms.

“Alright, folks, it’s time to prepare!” the Weather Service in Charleston announced on social media. “Extremely cold temperatures and accumulating snow and ice are expected this week. Make the most of today’s warmth to prepare your home, car, and yourself for the winter conditions ahead.”

 
Updates:

∎ More than 1,100 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were canceled by Sunday evening, according to FlightAware. Additionally, over 5,380 flights experienced delays, particularly at Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airports.

∎ Light rain and sleet were expected to continue through areas east of Interstate 95, transitioning to snow in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, according to the weather service.

∎ The weather service in New Orleans warned that cold temperatures will have the most severe impact from Monday to Thursday, with hazardous travel likely on Tuesday and Wednesday. The heaviest snowfall is anticipated on Tuesday, the weather service stated.

∎ Subfreezing temperatures could creep as far south as southeast Mississippi, southwest Alabama, and the western Florida panhandle, according to forecasts.

Emergency declarations made due to storm threat

Numerous state and local officials have declared emergencies in advance of the anticipated heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures. The rapidly moving storm is expected to cover the lower Hudson Valley and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut with 5 to 8 inches of snow, based on predictions from the National Weather Service.

A cold weather emergency has been declared in Washington, with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing on Sunday via X, “Temperatures will plummet overnight to dangerous levels.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. across all 21 counties. Likewise, Louisiana’s Governor Jeff Landry issued a state of emergency in anticipation of the winter storm.

In response to the impending heavy snowfall, transportation officials in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have imposed restrictions on vehicles on highways. Multiple municipalities in Bucks County, Pennsylvania have also declared snow emergencies, as reported by the Bucks County Courier Times, part of the YSL News Network.

A snow emergency is an official announcement made by township managers, police, and public works when winter conditions are severe enough to warrant restrictions on parking on public streets.

‘Extremely cold wind chills’ expected

Subzero wind chills are predicted to move into the southern Plains on Sunday night, remaining until Wednesday, as reported by the National Weather Service. Hazardous cold temperatures are likely to affect the Gulf Coast and Southeast throughout much of the week.

The Pittsburgh National Weather Service cautioned that “periods of dangerously low wind chills, reaching as low as 25 below zero, could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.” They advised that frostbite and hypothermia could occur with skin exposure to these extreme temperatures.

In Cleveland, the weather service indicated that “the extended duration of this cold could seriously impact infrastructure, increasing the risk of frozen pipes, dead car batteries, and potential fires. There is also a heightened risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if secondary heating methods are misused indoors.”

Cold and snow forecast disrupts typical routines

Parts of Arlington remain covered with snow from a storm two weeks ago. Deukmaji, who works in homebuilding and real estate, understands the economic implications discussed by Taylor.

While homebuilding continues, tasks like electrical wiring become challenging in extreme cold. Deukmaji recalls selling a vacant home that had a pipe burst, turning the interior into an “ice cave” with icicles hanging from the ceiling and a thick layer of ice on the floor.

If the predicted snowfall of 1-3 inches occurs, Deukmaji said he and his neighbors with snowblowers will once again rally to clear the streets.

“One of the best things about our neighborhood is that we all pitch in during storms,” he shared.

Midwest temperatures may plunge to minus 30 degrees

The peak of the cold front will impact North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin on Monday, where high temperatures might not reach zero degrees. Overnight lows could plummet to 30 below zero, as warned by AccuWeather.

Cities like Minneapolis are expected to experience temperatures at or below zero from Sunday into Monday. This could strain energy supplies as residents work to heat their homes and businesses, according to AccuWeather.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, the extreme cold will spread eastward, reaching cities like Philadelphia, where daytime temperatures are forecasted to remain in the upper teens. It’s been over two years since Philadelphia recorded daytime highs this low, according to AccuWeather.

Winter storm threatens Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Residents along the East Coast should brace for both snow and cold: Snow began falling across Virginia and the DelMarVa peninsula on Sunday morning, with the expectation of moving north along the I-95 corridor throughout the day and into southern New England by Sunday evening.

“The area expected to receive the heaviest snow spans from the greater Washington, D.C. area to Boston,” noted the weather service.

Record-low temperatures may be in sight

This cold wave coincides with the height of winter, which means daily record-low temperatures could be reached. Forecasters caution that Washington will see single-digit temperatures, while New Orleans may drop below freezing, with wind chills dipping into the teens.

“Some record-low lows are expected to be broken,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

Preparation tips for the cold weather:

To get ready for the extreme cold, the weather service recommends taking the following steps:

∎ Dress warmly in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you need to go outside.

∎ Protect water pipes by wrapping or draining them, or letting them drip slowly.

∎ Keep pets inside whenever possible.

∎ Ensure outdoor animals have access to warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water.

∎ Check on elderly family members, friends, and neighbors regularly.

∎ Use portable heaters safely; do not run generators or grills indoors.

Contributions from: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times