Frigid temperatures, biting wind chills, and unusual snowfall are expected to impact much of the United States this week. A polar vortex disruption is driving Arctic air south, bringing hazardous conditions from the Rockies to the Gulf Coast and into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of extreme wind chills as low as -40°F in parts of the Dakotas and northern Minnesota, where frostbite can develop in under ten minutes. Meteorologists advise residents to bundle up and limit outdoor exposure to avoid health risks.

Further south, the Gulf Coast braces for rare winter weather, with snow, sleet, and freezing rain expected from Texas to northern Florida by midweek. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on Saturday, urging residents to prepare for icy road conditions and potential disruptions. Meteorologist Marc Chenard noted that while the storm will move quickly, it is likely to produce significant impacts in areas unaccustomed to snow and ice accumulation.

In the Northeast, snow is forecast to move through the Mid-Atlantic before reaching New York and New England. Snowfall totals may range from 2 to 8 inches, with motorists facing treacherous roadways and potential airport delays. Baltimore has already canceled its annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade, citing safety concerns.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol to assist residents, particularly the homeless, in accessing shelter and resources during the freezing temperatures expected to last through the week.

As the nation braces for the Arctic blast, experts are urging everyone to monitor local forecasts, exercise caution while traveling, and take steps to stay safe in the bitter cold.