Historic Arctic Blast Shatters Temperature Records Across the U.S., Freezing Air Reaches Deep Into the South
CHICAGO, Ill. — An Arctic blast of historic proportions has sent temperatures plunging across the United States, breaking dozens of daily records from the Northern Plains to the Deep South on Friday morning. Meteorologists say the cold air mass — one of the most powerful so far this season — is setting the stage for a weekend of dangerously low wind chills and widespread freezing conditions.
According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model, morning temperatures have fallen into the single digits and below zero across much of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, while freezing temperatures extend as far south as Texas, Alabama, and northern Florida.
Nationwide Freeze From Coast to Coast
The cold outbreak stretches from Montana and the Dakotas to the Ohio Valley, with temperatures ranging between –10°F and 10°F across the northern tier. Cities like Minneapolis, Fargo, and Green Bay all reported readings below zero Friday morning — a stark reminder of early winter’s intensity.
- Minneapolis, MN: –11°F early Friday
- Chicago, IL: 7°F, breaking a daily record low
- Kansas City, MO: 14°F
- Denver, CO: 18°F
- Dallas, TX: 29°F — the earliest hard freeze of the season
The map shows a striking temperature gradient, with the purple and blue zones — representing subfreezing air — dominating nearly two-thirds of the continental U.S.
South Feels the Chill as Freezing Temperatures Spread
In a rare early-December occurrence, freezing air has spilled deep into the southern states, reaching across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and northern Louisiana. Morning lows dipped to 31°F in Jackson, 30°F in Birmingham, and 32°F in Atlanta, with frost and ice reported as far south as the Florida Panhandle.
Farmers across the South are taking precautions as the cold threatens crops and livestock, while utility companies brace for a surge in heating demand.
“This is the kind of cold that doesn’t just arrive — it takes over,” said a National Weather Service forecaster in Memphis. “We’re seeing the Arctic air reach places that haven’t frozen this early in years.”
Wind Chills Push Dangerously Low in Northern States
Wind chills have made the cold even more severe across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where feels-like temperatures dropped between –20°F and –35°F. Authorities are urging residents to limit outdoor exposure, as frostbite can occur in under 15 minutes in such conditions.
Schools in several states, including North Dakota and Minnesota, delayed openings or shifted to remote learning due to extreme cold and icy roads.
More Cold to Come: Prolonged Chill Expected
Meteorologists warn that this Arctic outbreak won’t fade quickly. Forecast models show below-normal temperatures persisting well into next week, with another potential cold surge by mid-December.
The National Weather Service continues to monitor for additional record lows, especially across the Midwest and Southeast, where clear skies overnight could drive temperatures even lower.
Residents are advised to bundle up, protect exposed pipes, and keep pets indoors as the nation endures one of the coldest starts to December in recent memory.
For continuous weather updates and regional advisories, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
