Arctic Air Rushing in Behind Storm Will Create Life-Threatening Impacts

While most residents of the eastern two-thirds of the country are understandably focused on the snow and ice predictions, it could be the Arctic air that follows the wintry precipitation that ushers in life-threatening conditions. Here are the latest predictions about just how cold it will get in the days ahead.

Frigid Air Will Exacerbate Winter Storm Impacts

A mass of Arctic air expanding into the central and eastern U.S. as the weekend progresses will come at the worst possible time. This frigid air is expected to hit on the heels of a major winter storm event. The expectation of widespread ice and snow will almost certainly knock out power to as many as 1 million customers. This means that there is a serious concern about people being without heat when the temperatures take a tumble.

The persistent nature of the bitterly cold temperatures will threaten both lives and property in a zone from Texas to the east into Virginia. The Arctic air has already made its way into the northern Plains and the Upper Midwest, offering a sign of what is to come for those in the path. Temperatures fell to levels about 15 to 35 degrees below zero early Friday from the Dakotas and into Minnesota and Wisconsin.