“One of the coldest arctic air masses in nearly 30 years” is likely to hit the Plains and Midwest this weekend, placing some all-time cold records in jeopardy,say forecasters.
States such as Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin will see lows in the minus teens and minus 20s F (-23 to -33 C). Add sub-zero winds to the mix and it could feel more like the minus 50s and minus 60s, meteorologists warn.
Snow is expected across the Midwest beginning on Sunday, and could reach into Tennessee and Alabama.
“Anybody living out on the streets needs to be rounded up and put into a shelter,” said Weather Channel coordinating meteorologist Tom Moore. “The repercussions for not could be deadly, and I’m afraid we’re going to see cases like that.”
Minneapolis will see a high of minus-14 degrees (-25 C) and a low of minus-27 degrees (-33 C) through Monday — but with the wind chill it would feel like the minus-40s F (-40s C).
Temperatures in Chicago will come close to a high of minus-11 degrees (-24 C) — a record previously reached in December 1983 and January 1994.
Another frigid plunge is forecast for Tuesday.