Coldest Air of Winter Expected This Week as Eastern U.S. Prepares for Big Chill

A strong blast of arctic air from Canada is expected to hit the eastern United States this week, beginning a week of extreme temperatures across the region that will hit to 100 million Americans with the coldest air of the winter season.

Arctic winds, often referred to as the polar vortex, occur when rotating air from Earth's polar regions becomes unstable and moves into midlatitude areas. It is from here that these extreme temperatures escape the parameters of the polar areas and make their way to North America, resulting in atypically cold temperatures in certain regions. Areas of low atmospheric pressure face dangerous cold snaps and higher occurrences of snow.

According to reports by FOX Weather, New York, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh are likely to be hit with the coldest of the winter thus far on Monday and Tuesday. The fervent freeze, elevated by hazardous wind chills, will make for ultra-harsh conditions for cities already facing sub-zero temperatures this January.

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Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Des Moines will face single-digit air temperatures on the week beginning Monday January 19, according to FOX's forecast. With dangerous winds on tow, The Twin Cities will face grizzly wind chills of around -20 degrees.

More central states, namely North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota, will also likely remain in the single-digit temperature zone, with winds below freezing certifying the cold snap. In northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, wind chills may hit as low as -40 degrees in some regions.

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The cities of Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis will struggle to surpass temperatures above the teens, beginning the working week with even colder conditions. Residents of Detroit, as well as St. Louis, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Burlington, will be subject to wind chills below freezing as they begin their week.

Citizens affected are advised to wrap up warm, consume hot food and drinks regularly, and stay active indoors. All necessary precautions should be taken while driving and engaging in only essential travel is advised in extreme temperatures.