Next week, millions of Americans will experience their first taste of winter, complete with subzero temperatures and an increasing likelihood of snow.
A low-pressure system is expected to move out of Canada, ushering in the first significant La Niña winter conditions across much of the U.S., as the weekend approaches.
This La Niña phenomenon generally leads to cooler temperatures and altered weather patterns, affecting areas beyond the East Coast. It’s interesting to note that this fall, several coastal systems have already impacted the region.
The forecast indicates that cold air will push south from Canada, settling into the eastern United States starting Sunday and lingering throughout much of the following week.
An impressive 170 million Americans across 35 states could see subzero temperatures overnight.
Come Sunday morning, single-digit wind chills may affect areas like Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, according to predictions.
Cities such as Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis, and Minneapolis are set to hit temperatures in the 20s on Monday. Meanwhile, morning readings in Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta may only just reach the 30s.
Daytime highs are not expected to rise significantly, hovering around 30 degrees in many areas.
The cold front will also spread into the eastern Plains and Appalachians by Monday.
The interior Northeast may experience wind gusts ranging from 20 to 35 mph, making conditions feel even colder.
By Tuesday morning, several locations in the Southeast could face record low temperatures, nearing century-old records in some places.
In the Great Lakes and Northeast, the first snowfall of the season is expected this weekend and into early next week. There’s talk of lake-effect snow as the cold air interacts with the warmer waters of the Great Lakes.
Forecasts suggest that southern Michigan, northern Indiana, northern Ohio, and northwestern Pennsylvania may see snowfall on Monday.
According to predictions, areas along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, Erie, and Ontario might receive the most snow. By Tuesday, winds will shift westward, leading to heavier snow bands in western Michigan and western New York.
The Great Lakes region could see between 5 to 8 inches of snow, with isolated spots possibly receiving an additional 8 to 12 inches, as projected.
Although winter officially begins on December 21st, it seems the frigid temperatures may not stick around long, as average temperatures are expected to return by mid-week.
