Arlington, VA --- A strong cold that hit most of the country Sunday threatened to cover dozens of states in snow and ice, plunge temperatures as low as Florida, and disrupt travel, football, and Iowa Caucus voting.
Sunday, over 100 million Americans had wind chill advisories or warnings, while over 44 million had cold weather advisories. Weather was 20-40 degrees below average across the nation.
Subfreezing wind chills were forecast in Montana and the Dakotas and northern Texas. National Weather Service: North Dakota could get "life-threatening wind chills as low as 60 below zero."
According to a statement released by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety on Sunday, "It only takes a matter of minutes for frostbite to set in," and they strongly recommend that people remain inside.
AccuWeather predicts a mid-Atlantic and New England winter storm with snow and ice from Monday until Tuesday night. The jet stream will carry the storm and frigid air over the country in the coming days.
"For much of the country, this will end up being the coldest and most persistent outbreak of arctic air in a couple of winters," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz.
Regular operation of Texas' power infrastructure is expected by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. County and city leaders and energy experts predict major weather disruptions. About half of Texas' generating capacity was knocked down by frozen equipment and other weather difficulties in 2021's winter storm, leaving 4 million Texans without power.
Mayor Muriel Bowser planned a Cold Weather Emergency in Washington, D.C., Monday through Thursday. Unsheltered and vulnerable individuals will get shelters, warming buses, gloves, blankets, and handwarmers from human services.