Temperatures will plummet by 30 degrees next week as another Arctic blast rolls in
Don't get used to the mild weather that's coming this weekend. Another Arctic blast is on the way next week, one that will bring bitterly cold temperatures to portions of the central U.S.
As the cold air arrives, temperatures are forecast to plummet by 30 degrees from one day to the next over the central states from the Great Lakes to the southern Plains, AccuWeather said.
"Very cold temperatures are expected to enter the northern Plains and Upper Midwest during the beginning of next week, with the coldest temperatures forecast to occur on Wednesday," the National Weather Service said. "Highs below zero and lows around -20 degrees are possible across northern portions of the region."
The weather probably will be the coldest of the season in that region, and it will feel even colder when the wind is factored in, according to the Weather Channel.
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Highs may be only in the teens in Chicago and Milwaukee by next Wednesday.
To the east, temperatures are likely to take a big and sudden plunge Tuesday and Wednesday as the Arctic front sweeps through, the Capital Weather Gang predicted.
New York City could fail to rise above freezing by next Thursday, the Weather Channel said, and highs in the 40s could be widespread all the way into Arkansas, Tennessee and the mid-South.
As the frigid air blasts across the unfrozen and mild waters of the Great Lakes, bands of heavy lake-effect snow and snow squalls are likely to develop, AccuWeather said. States such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York could see the most snow.
"In the past, patterns of this nature during December have unleashed feet of snow with whiteout conditions in localized areas downwind of the Great Lakes," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arctic blast next week: Cold front to hit Chicago, Milwaukee, New York
