2013 was a year for a lot of cold weather, and according to the forecast, not much will be changing in the beginning months of 2014. Frigid temperatures are in the predictions for weeks to come according to the National Weather Service. For many cities to the east of the Rockies, the first week or so of 2014 will include much of the bitter cold air that is coming from the southern portion of Canada. The chill is expected to continue to be miserable for many residents living in the northern and central states. International Falls, Minnesota, which is already known as the “Icebox of the Nation”, has reached the 30’s below zero in December, setting a new record. 42 degrees below zero was a record low for them, setting yet another record for extremely cold temperatures.
The main region that this cold air system will focus on is the Midwest and the Northeast. By Friday the highs are only predicted to reach in the single digits and teens below zero. These extremely cold temperatures will affect parts of the Upper Midwest and Northern New England. New England has had a very rough start to the winter season; its residents have had to deal with massive amounts of accumulation as well as frigid and brutal cold temperatures. Lows in the single digits and teens above zero will be more than common among the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and along the I-95 corridor.
Areas from Boston, to New York and Philadelphia will see highs in the teens on Friday, while single-digit highs will overtake areas just to the north and western regions. Subzero highs will grip much of northern New England and the Adirondacks. Into Friday night and Saturday morning, these lows will plunge into the single digits again in states like New York and Massachusetts. New York City and Boston will deal with widespread lows of 10 to 30 below zero. This is not the end of this system though, because a new shot of wintry air will arrive by the beginning of the next work week to continue this widespread cold streak.
This new burst of cold air will send temperatures plummeting to 25 to 40 below zero across the Midwest by the start of next week. Near the Canadian Border, North Dakota and Minnesota may see highs in the teens below zero, but a few places may possibly fail to warm above – 20 by Sunday and Monday. Minneapolis will see lows in the -20s for the start of the next full workweek. In Chicago, the high temperature wise may even fail to warm above zero. This will be the first time in almost five years! These miserably cold conditions are expected to move southeast into the Ohio Valley, and into the Northeast by the middle of next week. The morning lows on Tuesday may reach down below zero as far South as the Ohio River, if not further. Lows for the southern states could include single digits and the teens above zero. When cold weather hits, it is always a good idea to have an emergency plan, and a kit ready. Water bottles, blankets, non-perishable goods, and flashlights are very important if the power decides to go out.