Dangerously low temperatures affecting much of the eastern U.S.
Historic cold with dangerously low temperatures impacting much of the eastern half of the U.S., with many locations experiencing temperatures as low as 45 degrees below average, and some records threatened, said the National Weather Service (NWS).
A massive surge of arctic air later this week will impact most of the U.S., as another cold front slides south from Canada, said NWS.
“There are indications that this could be some of the coldest weather since the mid-1990s for some parts of the Southeast U.S., Mid-Atlantic, and central Appalachians. An eddy of the polar vortex will add to the potency of the surface cold front, thus creating a deep layer of bitterly cold air. Highs on Thursday and Friday will struggle to get out of the teens for many of these areas, and overnight lows could reach zero degrees or even lower in some places! Wind chill advisories and warnings are currently in effect. The overnight lows on Thursday night will be the coldest in those areas where the wind goes calm, allowing for additional
radiational cooling.”
- Historic cold impacting eastern U.S. through Friday.
- Another storm system developing over the southern U.S.
- Dangerous wind chills are forecast from the northern Plains to the Gulf Coast.
- Temperatures will be as low as 45 degrees below average for much of region.
- Heavy snow is forecast for parts of Northern New England.
- Rain/freezing rain and sleet could affect parts of the Lower/Middle
Mississippi Valley/Tennessee Valley.
Low temperature ending February 19, 2015 (NWS).
National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous United States)
Issued 7 am EST Thursday, February 19, 2015
High Temperature for Wednesday, February 18, 2015
29.4ºC (85 degrees F) at Thermal, CA
Low Temperature for Thursday, February 19, 2015
-40.5ºC (-41 degrees F) at Embarrass, MN
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD
[Temperature spread: 70ºC (126 degrees F), as calculated by FIRE-EARTH]
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