A powerful winter weather system is gripping large swaths of the United States, bringing dangerously cold temperatures to the eastern half of the country while setting the stage for heavy rain and possible flooding in the Pacific Northwest.
Deep Freeze Across the East and South
As of Monday, cold weather alerts were in effect for nearly 69 million people, spanning from the Midwest through the Ohio Valley and down to parts of the Gulf Coast. The frigid air mass has pushed temperatures well below seasonal norms, with many areas experiencing biting wind chills.
Early Monday morning readings showed wind chills of about 7 degrees in New York City, 1 degree in Washington, D.C., minus 9 in Chicago, and near zero in Louisville, Kentucky. Across much of the eastern third of the country, daytime highs are expected to remain 10 to 20 degrees below average.
Meteorologists say the cold snap will persist through Monday, posing risks such as frostbite, hypothermia and increased strain on heating systems. Gradual warming is forecast to begin Tuesday, with temperatures slowly rebounding across most regions through the remainder of the week.
Flood Concerns Grow in the Pacific Northwest
While much of the nation battles extreme cold, the Pacific Northwest is facing a very different threat. A series of storm systems is expected to move through the region this week, raising concerns about renewed flooding after heavy rain inundated the area just days ago.
Approximately 5 million people are currently under new flood watches across western Washington, along with parts of northern Idaho and Montana. Several rivers remain elevated from last week’s storms, increasing the risk that additional rainfall could trigger flooding.
Light rain and mountain snow are forecast for parts of Washington, Oregon and northern Idaho on Monday. Conditions are expected to worsen Tuesday night as another storm system, enhanced by an atmospheric river, moves inland.
Forecasters warn that the system could bring 2 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated areas receiving up to 8 inches, along with wind gusts reaching 50 mph. The storms may also increase the risk of landslides, particularly in areas already saturated by previous rainfall. Northern California is also expected to see periods of heavy rain from this system.
A Tale of Two Extremes
The contrasting weather patterns underscore the volatility of winter conditions across the U.S., with life-threatening cold affecting millions in the East while flood risks grow in the West. Officials urge residents in impacted regions to stay informed, follow local advisories, and take precautions to protect themselves and their property as the week unfolds.
