Early Arctic cold snap could break decades-old temperature records

First Arctic Cold Blast Will Sweep the US and Could Break Records

By Meghan Bartels edited by Andrea Thompson

A blast of frigid air will push into the central United States and move eastward in the coming days, potentially breaking records in a remarkably early cold snap. The most extreme cold will occur around November 10.

The event will be particularly notable in the southeastern U.S., where low daytime and nighttime temperatures can break records that have stood for decades, including some that have stood for more than a century. In total, half of the residents of the continental United States could experience freezing temperatures, according to estimates by the New York Times.

The frigid temperatures may surprise many, given that parts of the country are currently relatively warm, with daily highs above average; Even parts of central Texas are expected to reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) on Friday, says Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

About supporting scientific journalism

If you are enjoying this article, please consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription, you help ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas that shape our world today.

But cold air is currently brewing over Canada. At the same time, a low-pressure air mass is forming over the Great Lakes. Because air rotates counterclockwise around low-pressure systems, Cook says, the alignment will drag frigid air deeply into the central United States next Sunday and, from there, into the southeastern states next Monday and Tuesday.

Predominantly, the system will only affect temperatures, but some parts of the Great Lakes region may see a few inches of snow. Cook notes that the precipitation forecast is still subject to change, however.

Because severe cold temperatures will be concentrated in the Southeast, Floridians will need to watch out for a notable regional danger: cold-stricken iguanas that fall from trees after losing blood flow, which can begin at temperatures as low as 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). Experts say these animals should be left alone, as they may not take kindly to rescue attempts once they warm up again.

Fortunately, the blast of frigid air will dissipate quickly and temperatures will rise across the southern and southeastern United States next Wednesday. “The silver lining to this impending cold snap is that it should be relatively short,” Cook says. “But it could be pretty intense.”

It’s time to defend science

If you liked this article, I would like to ask for your support. American scientist has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in those two centuries of history.

I have been a American scientist subscriber since I was 12 and it helped shape the way I see the world. Science-Am It always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of wonder at our vast and beautiful universe. I hope it does it for you too.

If you subscribe to American scientistyou help ensure our coverage focuses on meaningful research and discoveries; that we have the resources to report on decisions that threaten laboratories across the United States; and that we support both budding and practicing scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unnoticed.

In return, you receive essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, Newsletters you can’t miss, videos you must see, challenging games and the best writing and reports from the scientific world. You can even give someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you will support us in that mission.