Winter was making a strong impact across the country on Sunday, as a fierce arctic air mass brought some of the season’s coldest temperatures, along with snow and ice that could disrupt travel plans.

In certain areas of the Upper Midwest, temperatures fell below zero, with wind chill values plunging to minus 20 degrees. This intense cold was advancing eastward into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast just ahead of Inauguration Day. Due to the severe cold, the ceremony in Washington, D.C. was moved indoors.

Snow and ice are expected to extend from New England down to the Gulf of Mexico over the next several days. Boston is anticipating 4-8 inches of snow overnight into Monday, while Philadelphia may see 3-7 inches and Washington D.C. could receive 1-3 inches. New Orleans is preparing for icy conditions.

“The most extreme cold will be felt from Monday to Thursday, with hazardous travel likely on Tuesday and Wednesday due to winter weather conditions,” the National Weather Service in New Orleans cautioned on social media. “Please take today to get ready!”

This cold snap coincides with the deep winter season, resulting in some of the year’s lowest recorded temperatures. Be cautious, as forecasters predict Washington will see temperatures drop to single digits. In New Orleans, temperatures could fall below freezing, with wind chills in the teens.

“Some records for lowest temperatures are expected to be broken,” warned AccuWeather’s Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

‘Extremely dangerous wind chills’

Subzero wind chills are predicted to hit the southern Plains on Sunday night, lasting until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Severe cold conditions may persist along the Gulf Coast and Southeast U.S. for most of the week.

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh cautioned that “dangerously low wind chills as frigid as 25 below zero could result in frostbite on exposed skin in just 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia are likely if skin is not protected against these temperatures.”

In Cleveland, authorities warned that the extended duration of this cold snap could have serious effects on infrastructure, including a higher risk of frozen pipes, dead batteries in vehicles, and structural fires. There is also an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper use of secondary heating sources indoors.

Winter storm’s impact on the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Residents along the East Coast will contend with snow in addition to the cold: Snow started falling on Sunday morning in Virginia and the DelMarVa peninsula, with expectations to move north along the I-95 corridor throughout the day and reach southern New England by Sunday evening.

“The heaviest snowfall from this storm is projected to occur between the greater Washington, D.C. area and Boston,” the weather service stated.

Tips for preparing for the cold:

To get ready for the cold weather, the weather service advises:

∎ Dress warmly in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you venture outdoors.

∎ To stop water pipes from freezing, wrap them up, drain them, or let them drip slowly.

∎ Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

∎ Ensure that outdoor animals have a warm, dry place to stay, along with food and unfrozen water.

∎ Regularly check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors.

∎ Use portable heaters safely and never operate generators or grills indoors.