Although winter officially begins later on the calendar, much of the United States is already feeling the chill of the season.

As people return home from Thanksgiving travels, numerous parts of the northern and eastern U.S. will experience temperatures below the seasonal average over the coming week, with many areas currently facing freeze warnings and watches due to an influx of cold Arctic air.

This weather shift marks the start of meteorological winter, which begins on December 1. By contrast, astronomical winter starts on December 21, the date of the winter solstice.

In the Northeast region, especially along the Interstate 95 corridor, AccuWeather reports that this will be the coldest beginning to meteorological winter in several years. For example, New York City is projected to have highs of 40 to 41 degrees from Sunday to Thursday, marking its coldest December start since 2019, when the highs ranged from 36 to 42 degrees from December 1 to 5, according to AccuWeather’s findings.

In the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, high temperatures are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees below what is typical for this time of year. Paul Pastelok, a lead long-term forecasting expert at AccuWeather, mentioned, “Many areas in the northern tier will kick off December with temperatures significantly lower than historical averages.”

Contrarily, while much of the eastern half of the U.S. braces for cold weather, the western states will experience a warming trend. The Northwest is set to enjoy temperatures above the seasonal average, with California, Texas, and the Southwest similarly expected to see mostly above-average temperatures, according to Weather.com.

Wind Chill Advisories in the Northern US

Due to the Arctic air descending from the northern Plains into the Midwest next week, dangerously low wind chills are anticipated in these areas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect for northwest and north-central North Dakota until Saturday night, warning of wind chills potentially hitting 35 degrees below zero.

Most of Minnesota and South Dakota, along with parts of northwest and west-central Iowa, west-central Wisconsin, and northeast Nebraska, are under a Hazardous Weather Outlook, with expected wind chills ranging from 0 to -10 degrees.

Northeast and Great Lakes Region

This Arctic air will also sweep through the Great Lakes and Northeast, which are experiencing a lake-effect snow event, leading to potentially hazardous snow accumulations.

Although temperatures in the Northeast will reach the 30s and 40s next week, wind chills will make it feel as if the temperatures are in the teens or lower in the Great Lakes, and between 10 to 20 degrees in the Northeast, according to the AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature index.

Freeze Warnings in Southeast and Gulf Coast

Freeze warnings have been issued for northeast Florida (north of Jacksonville), southeastern South Carolina, and southeastern Georgia from Saturday night into Sunday morning. A frost advisory is also in effect for areas just west of Jacksonville, predicting near-freezing temperatures. Low temperatures are expected in this region through Wednesday.

Additionally, freeze watches are being enforced for southeastern Mississippi, coastal Alabama, south-central Georgia up to the Florida Panhandle for Saturday night, with forecasted evening temperatures below freezing continuing through Tuesday, according to the NWS.

With temperatures expected to drop below freezing, the agency advises residents to “take precautions to protect young children, the elderly, and the homeless; prevent water pipes from freezing by wrapping or allowing them to drip slowly; and take steps now to shield delicate plants from the cold.”

Weather Alerts Across the U.S.

Warming Trend in the West

In the western U.S., weather is expected to be mild with gradually increasing temperatures, as predicted by the NWS. From now until December 9, the western half of the U.S. is anticipated to experience temperatures that are either above normal or close to normal, according to the agency.