NEW YORK – The eastern United States is facing the coldest air of the early winter season on Monday as a polar vortex pushes dangerous arctic temperatures across nearly two dozen states, stretching from New England to the Gulf Coast. Single-digit wind chills are making conditions especially harsh for millions of residents.
In the Northeast and Midwest, the frigid air follows a fast-moving winter storm over the weekend, with subzero temperatures freezing leftover snow during morning and afternoon commutes. Meanwhile, much of the Southeast is under Cold Weather Alerts, with wind chill readings in the teens, just days before the official start of astronomical winter on Sunday.
More than 70 million Americans are affected by the cold blast, which could mark the coldest day of the year when factoring in wind chills. Midwest and Northeast cities saw wind chills in the single digits and teens Monday morning. Indianapolis issued its first Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills expected as low as -25 degrees. Detroit opened warming centers through Tuesday to help residents cope.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic cities, including New York and Baltimore, activated Code Blue warming centers to provide relief for unhoused populations. In the South, Nashville experienced single-digit wind chills, while Jackson, Mississippi, saw temperatures in the teens. Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama, also opened warming centers for the first half of the workweek.
The severe arctic conditions are expected to linger through Tuesday, especially across the Northern Tier, before a rapid warmup arrives by midweek.
