Mercury Set to Tumble in Days Ahead Across Northern U.S.

It was a record-setting Christmas holiday as unseasonable warmth gripped a large portion of the central and southern U.S. A potent upper-level ridge is sending the mercury soaring to levels well above the norm for the nation's heartland. Temperatures have been hovering up to 30 degrees above average for cities such as Kansas City, Dallas, and Indianapolis.

But while it was a toasty Christmas week, a change is on the way heading into next week. Forecasters are warning that a pair of powerful cold fronts will send Arctic air back to the Midwest and the Northeast. Here is a look at where and when you can expect this cold air to arrive.

Colder Temperatures on Tap for the Northern U.S. Beginning Sunday

Two strong cold fronts are forecast to dive into the northern half of the country as 2025 comes to an end. Each front will also bring the chance of lake-effect snow to millions. The wintry precipitation will come fresh on the heels of a quick-hitting storm that delivered snow, sleet, and freezing rain to a large swath of the Great Lakes and the Northeast on Friday.