Chicago, Illinois — A powerful surge of Arctic air described by meteorologists as the “mother lode” of cold is set to sweep across large portions of the central and eastern United States this weekend, bringing the coldest air of the season so far for millions. While the blast will be intense and potentially dangerous, forecasters say relief is in sight before Christmas as the weather pattern begins to shift.
According to AccuWeather, extremely cold air has been building across northwestern Canada over the past week and is now poised to plunge southeastward into the U.S. with little moderation along the way.
‘Mother lode’ of cold air moves south
AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said the air mass forming over Canada is unusually intense.
“There has been a massive area of air in northwestern Canada where temperatures were 20 to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit,” Rayno said. “This is the mother lode of cold air, and it is a term I don’t use lightly.”
That bitter air is expected to expand across a wide swath of the central and eastern United States this weekend, bringing uncomfortably cold and, in some cases, dangerous conditions.
Coldest air of the season for many regions
AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said the outbreak will mark the coldest air of the season so far for many areas.
“The coldest air of the season so far is on the way for portions of the Midwest, Tennessee Valley, and much of the Appalachians,” forecasters said.
While temperatures may not match the extreme lows seen in Canada, the cold will still be severe enough to disrupt daily life and pose health risks.
Brutal conditions in the Upper Midwest
Cities across the Upper Midwest are expected to bear the brunt of the cold.
In Minneapolis, temperatures may fail to rise above zero, with overnight lows dropping between 10 and 20 degrees below zero Friday and Saturday nights. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures could plunge 10 to 20 degrees colder than the actual readings.
“Exposure in these conditions, especially with blustery winds, can lead to hypothermia or frostbite in less than 30 minutes,” forecasters warned.
In Chicago, temperatures may struggle to reach the double digits on Saturday before dropping well below zero Saturday night. AccuWeather says the RealFeel Temperature could remain below zero all weekend, making prolonged outdoor exposure dangerous.
Polar vortex disruption behind the outbreak
Meteorologists say this and other recent cold blasts have been driven by a weakening or displacement of the polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to spill southward.
The dense cold air is expected to stay locked near the ground and may have difficulty crossing the Appalachian Mountains. Even so, areas east of the mountains — including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston — could still see temperatures approach or drop below recent lows.
Forecasters note that if a storm brings the first accumulating snow of the season to parts of the Northeast this weekend, temperatures could fall even more sharply afterward.
Heating bills and frozen pipes a concern
The prolonged cold will likely strain household heating systems across much of the central and eastern U.S.
In unheated or poorly insulated areas, officials warn there will be an increased risk of pipes freezing and bursting, especially overnight.
Cold intense but short-lived
Despite the severity of the Arctic air, forecasters stress that this outbreak will be brief.
The worst of the cold is expected to last one to two days at most before temperatures begin to moderate.
Pattern shift brings relief before Christmas
Looking ahead, meteorologists say the overall weather pattern will begin to change next week, shifting to a more west-to-east flow across the U.S.
Read Also: Snow Band Stretches From Montana to Pennsylvania Through Sunday, Impacting More Than a Dozen States
While additional cold shots are still possible, they are expected to be less extreme than this mid-December Arctic blast. Warmer air should gradually erode the widespread snow cover that builds up over the weekend.
“Don’t assume because it is cold and snowy now that it will be so on Christmas Day,” they said.
He added that skiers and snowboarders should take advantage of the current cold and fresh snow, particularly in the Appalachians, as conditions could deteriorate at some resorts once warmer air arrives closer to Christmas.
Warmth elsewhere in the country
For those seeking relief from the cold this weekend, forecasters say Florida and much of the U.S. west of the Rockies will remain comparatively mild. Exceptions include fog-prone areas in California’s Central Valley and flood-affected zones in western Washington.
As millions prepare for the coldest weather of the season, officials urge residents to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and check on vulnerable neighbors until the Arctic grip loosens.
How cold is it where you live, and how are you preparing for the deep freeze? Share your experience in the comments below.
