The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of emergency weather warnings across the United States as dangerous cold, snow, high winds and dense fog affect large swaths of the country from Florida to the Great Lakes and Alaska.
Florida is facing a rare cold snap
According to NWS Tampa Bay/Ruskin, a frost warning and cold weather advisory are in effect for parts of central and coastal Florida, including Citrus, Hernando, Levy and Sumter counties, from midnight Sunday until 9 a.m. Monday.
Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 25°F, with windchills around 23°F. The NWS warned that frost and freezing temperatures could damage crops, kill sensitive plants and affect outdoor installations. A frost watch is also in place Monday night into Tuesday morning, when temperatures drop below freezing again.
Residents were advised to protect plants, cover pipes and dress warmly if heading outside.
Arctic cold is spreading across the Midwest and Southeast
The NWS Weather Forecast Center said a powerful arctic air mass is pushing south, bringing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below normal across much of the Midwest. Overnight lows in the low to mid 30s triggered frost warnings from southern Georgia to central and northern Florida.
Wind chills in parts of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin could drop as low as 30 below zero, with NWS La Crosse warning that exposed skin can suffer frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.
Dangerous snow storms hit Indiana and Michigan
NWS Northern Indiana has issued a blizzard warning for parts of northeast Indiana and southwest Michigan, including stretches of Interstate 80.
Forecasters warned of sudden flurries of heavy snow, 35mph wind gusts and near cloudless conditions making travel dangerous within minutes. Drivers were urged to slow down and pay attention to rapidly changing road conditions.
Heavy lake snow in New York
In upstate New York, NWS Albany said lake-effect snow could bring 6 to 12 inches of accumulation in northern Herkimer County through Wednesday.
Visibility could drop below a quarter mile and travel could be difficult, especially in areas north of the Route 28 corridor.
California’s San Joaquin Valley was shrouded in thick fog
NWS Hanford warned that dense fog across the San Joaquin Valley could reduce visibility to less than 200 feet, with some areas seeing near zero.
The warning is in place until Monday afternoon, with fog expected to return overnight, making driving hazardous.
High winds and bitter cold in Ohio and Pennsylvania
NWS Cleveland said wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour could bring down tree limbs and cause isolated power outages in parts of northeastern Ohio and northwestern Pennsylvania.
A cold weather advisory follows Monday night into Tuesday, with temperatures dropping to 15 to 20 below zero, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Extreme Freeze Warning for West Virginia
In West Virginia’s Western Greenbrier County, NWS Blacksburg has issued an extreme cold warning, with temperatures expected to drop to 15 below zero and even colder at higher elevations.
Residents were advised to limit outdoor time and wear layered winter clothing, including hats, gloves and face coverings.
Alaska Water Freeze Warning
NWS Fairbanks issued a heavy freeze spray warning for coastal waters in northwest Alaska, warning that ice accumulation on vessels could be hazardous to marine traffic.
What should people do?
The National Weather Service advises residents in affected areas to:
– Dress in warm layers, including a hat and gloves
-Limit outdoor exposure in extreme cold
-Protect plants, pets and water pipes
-Drive carefully in snow, fog and strong wind
-Stay informed of local NWS warnings
Additional warnings may be issued over the next two days as the system moves east and south.
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