Arctic Blast to Bring Frigid Temperatures to 300 Million Americans, Threatening Coldest Inauguration in Decades

Jan 16, 2025, 11:17 PM

An Arctic blast is forecast to sweep across the United States starting this weekend, bringing some of the coldest temperatures of the season to nearly 300 million Americans. The polar vortex is expected to dip down from Siberia, sending frigid air that could lead to sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills. Highs are projected to be 10-20 degrees below average in many regions, with wind chills potentially reaching -25 to -40 degrees in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. The cold air is anticipated to result in one of the coldest Inauguration Days in decades, possibly affecting President Donald Trump's inauguration events. Meteorologists are also monitoring the potential for a winter storm in the southern U.S. next week, with forecasts indicating the possibility of snow, ice, and freezing rain in areas unaccustomed to such weather, including parts of Texas, the Southeast, and even Florida. Preparations are underway to mitigate the impacts of the severe cold, including warnings to protect pipes from freezing.