The season's first Arctic outbreak has caused temperatures to plummet across the eastern half of the country, with “dangerously cold” temperatures of 15 to 30 degrees below zero across the northern Plains and upper Midwest.
As the Thanksgiving Day winter storm moves out of the Northeast, it pulls in arctic air from Canada and carries the cold air all the way to the Southeast.
Well over 200 million Americans are expected to experience below-average temperatures on Black Friday.
Wind chills should be well below freezing in the northern Plains and upper Midwest, according to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center.
Areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota are experiencing dangerously low temperatures that can cause hypothermia and frostbite if exposed unprotected skin. Factoring in wind chill, temperatures can drop to -30 to -40 degrees in some areas.
In the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, temperatures could fall below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills potentially pushing temperatures even below -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest days will likely be between Sunday and Monday.
Further south in the Midwest, lows could drop into the teens and wind chills could drop to near -10F. This could bring the coldest air of the season to many regions.
Winds will increase significantly as a strong arctic front moves through the region Monday into Tuesday.
Travelers to these areas should always pack a winter survival kit.
The Southeast and South Central United States should also prepare for cold conditions in late November and early December.
If the past cold snap isn't over yet, some places may see their first freeze of the season.
The coldest air of the season has hit the Great Lakes, with water temperatures currently on record. This combination will result in an extended period of lake-effect snowstorms starting Friday and continuing into next week.
About 1.5 million people are currently under lake-effect snow warnings through at least Monday in parts of western New York, far northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio as Lakes Erie and Ontario turn on snowmaking equipment. Climb up to people.
“This is going to be a long-term, integrated event,” said Kirk Apfel, chief forecaster for NWS Buffalo. “We're looking at Friday through at least Monday, and we're going to see some snow in the area.”
WPC said travel disruptions are possible, particularly on Interstate 90 between Cleveland and Buffalo and Interstate 81 north of Syracuse, New York.
