In brief
A powerful Arctic front is pushing through the U.S., resulting in frigid temperatures and significant snowfall, particularly affecting the Midwest and the Southeastern regions. Areas may face dangerous travel conditions due to rapidly accumulating snow, especially across Illinois, Indiana, and parts of the Great Lakes. Meanwhile, Florida experiences unusual cold, with temperatures dropping sharply from the previous warm weather, though not enough to trigger typical iguana falls.
CHICAGO (AP) — An Arctic blast is sweeping across the United States, ushering in the season's first frigid air along with the promise of snow in several parts of the country. Florida, typically warm this time of year, is also feeling the icy grip, with temperatures expected to drop significantly, though not enough for iguanas to fall from trees, as they famously do when temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (about 4 degrees Celsius).
The National Weather Service has issued alerts for the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., emphasizing the potential for record low temperatures, especially in the Southeast. Just a day before the cold front, some regions in Florida reached nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).
As the cold air reaches the Great Plains, forecasters are warning of gusty winds and red flag warnings, with estimates of snow accumulation ranging between 4 inches (10 centimeters) and 8 inches (20 centimeters) across the Great Lakes and Appalachian Mountain regions. Meteorologists indicated that conditions for road travel in northeastern Illinois might become dangerous to impossible due to the rapid accumulation of snow, which could exceed 3 inches (8 centimeters) per hour.
In the vicinity of Lake Erie, there is also a concern for lake-effect snow, where snow can pile up in localized bands, leading to drastically uneven snowfall totals just a few miles apart.
Cold weather alerts have been issued for states such as Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, with expectations of freezing temperatures persisting through Monday morning across a large area of the South, including parts of Texas and Alabama. In light of these conditions, meteorologists urge gardeners to prepare for the end of the growing season by protecting tender plants from the cold.
Travel conditions are expected to be hazardous in various Midwest states, where winter weather advisories have already been issued for areas in Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Snowfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has begun, with significant accumulation anticipated through Monday, while Indiana could see as much as 11 inches (28 centimeters) of snow.
