Winter storm warnings remain effective across various regions including the mid-Atlantic through Monday morning and began for parts of New England on Sunday afternoon. Heavy lake-effect snow is anticipated in western New York state from Monday through Wednesday morning, potentially accumulating two to three feet in localized areas like Oswego along Lake Ontario. Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, forecasts that much of the eastern United States will experience extreme temperatures following the heavy snowfall.

Cold air from the Rockies and Northern Plains is expected to move southward, with temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48 degrees Celsius). Sub-zero wind chills are predicted to reach parts of Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley, creating hazardous conditions across the affected regions. Affected areas include Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, which are now under numerous winter storm warnings and will experience a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain starting Monday evening, anticipated to spread eastward by midweek. This unusual weather system could result in significant travel disruptions along the Gulf Coast, where locals are not accustomed to these conditions, as noted by AP News.

State officials, including Louisiana's Governor Jeff Landry, have issued states of emergency and have warned residents to take precautions in the face of severe weather. Expect disruptions to air travel, with major airports in Texas suspending operations in anticipation of hazardous conditions. The forecast indicates that temperatures across the Southeastern U.S. will remain below freezing, posing risks to sensitive vegetation and infrastructure.

With Governor Landry urging residents to prepare for these conditions, star states like Texas also await substantial snow impacts expected along the Interstate 20 corridor. As the cold wave progresses, northern Florida and Southern states are poised for a rare wintry mix that includes freezing rain. Many weather services are highlighting the potential for power outages in areas heavily impacted by snow and ice, extending the adverse effects of this Arctic blast.

Earlier this month, a similar cold snap resulted from a disruption in the polar vortex, which allows for normal cold air trapped near the North Pole to sweep southward. Although a slight moderation of temperatures is forecast, conditions across the Central and Eastern U.S. will continue to be frigid, with highs expected to stay in the teens and 20s Fahrenheit. Travel across the region remains cautioned as major disruptions loom large.

For continuous updates and specific forecasts, residents are advised to monitor local weather reports and take appropriate precautions as this severe weather system impacts millions.

Source: The Guardian, LA Times.