Arctic Air to Sweep Across North America – Key Maps to Watch
North America, particularly the United States, is bracing for a surge of Arctic air at the turn of the week. This will likely be the most significant cold snap of this winter. Here’s an overview of what data to monitor. Temperature maps will be the most crucial tool, and you can choose to display them in °C or °F in your settings. The maps included here are shown in °F.
Temperature Drop Graphs
Quick overviews are provided by graphs showing dramatic temperature drops. For example, in Minneapolis, temperatures are forecasted to plummet from 36 °F (2 °C) to -15 °F (-26 °C) on Monday. This represents a decrease of more than 50 °F (25 °C) in just two days.

Detailed Temperature Maps
For more precision, detailed temperature maps will be critical. Monday and Tuesday mornings are expected to be the coldest in many locations. Current data from five models can be compared for accuracy. For instance, predictions for Monday morning from the ECMWF and ICON models align, showing temperatures below -25 °F (-30 °C) near the Canadian border. When multiple models converge, forecasts become more reliable.


Wind Chill Maps
Pay close attention to wind chill maps, which reflect the feels like temperature due to wind. On windy days, this effect significantly reduces the apparent temperature. In some areas, wind chill could push perceived temperatures as low as -40 °F (-40 °C) on Monday.

Temperature Anomaly Maps
Anomalies highlight how temperatures compare to historical norms. These maps reveal that this cold spell will be well below average. Expected temperature anomalies exceeding 20 °F (15 °C) indicate exceptionally cold conditions compared to the last 40 years.
Snowfall Predictions
Snowfall will accompany this cold weather, with some forecasts suggesting snow as far south as the Gulf Coast (see map). For now, this scenario is only supported by the ICON model, so adjustments to the forecast are expected. Precipitation forecasts are inherently more uncertain than temperature predictions.
