A powerful Arctic blast is sweeping across the United States, causing temperatures to plummet up to 50 degrees below normal in some regions.
The National Weather Service has issued extreme cold warnings affecting over 32 million people across 11 states, from the Canadian border down to Texas.
In North Dakota, Bismarck experienced a record-breaking low of minus 39 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous record of minus 37 set in 1910.
The National Weather Service reported that the night before, Bismarck also broke a 150-year-old record by hitting minus 35 degrees.
This Arctic air mass has extended its reach to the Midwest, impacting states like Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
Texas is bracing for the cold front’s impact, with temperatures expected to drop sharply into the 20s overnight, accompanied by wind chills potentially reaching as low as 0 degrees due to gusts up to 35 mph.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect, urging residents to protect people, plants, pets, and pipes.
Hard freezes are anticipated on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, potentially bringing the coldest temperatures of the season.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a weather watch in anticipation of the freeze, which is expected to bring the “coldest weather event of the year.”
Despite high demand and lower reserves, ERCOT predicts the power grid will manage, with a forecasted gap of approximately 12,000 megawatts between supply and demand, well above the 2,500 megawatts required for a grid emergency.
In West Texas, an extreme cold warning has been issued as Arctic air arrives, bringing temperatures with wind chills below zero.
This warning is in effect until Thursday. The National Weather Service has updated its warning system to highlight the severity of the cold.
While such cold snaps are not unusual for late winter in the Permian Basin, the current temperatures are approaching historical record lows for this time of year.
This Arctic outbreak has already had deadly consequences. At least 15 people have died due to the severe conditions, including 12 fatalities in Kentucky, primarily from drowning in flash floods.
Other deaths have been reported in West Virginia, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Detroit has faced severe freezing floods, affecting vehicles and homes.
The National Weather Service predicts that 89% of the U.S. will experience freezing temperatures this week.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions, including staying indoors, protecting exposed skin, and ensuring that vulnerable individuals and pets are safe from the extreme cold.
