Arctic Blast Sends Sub‑Zero Chill From Ohio to the Deep South
Updated (14 articles)
Arctic Air Dominates Central Ohio Through Tuesday Temperatures in central Ohio hover in the 20s with daytime highs dropping into the teens, while wind chills plunge to –5 °F to –15 °F by Tuesday morning, prompting a National Weather Service Cold Weather Advisory and a 10TV Weather Impact Alert Day [1]. The cold follows Monday’s wintry spell and is expected to ease mid‑week, though forecasters warn the arctic pattern could re‑intensify by next weekend [1]. Residents are urged to monitor updates as the hazardous conditions affect outdoor activities and travel.
Cold Front Sweeps South, Bringing Ice and Snow powerful arctic surge will reach the Southern United States this weekend, delivering cold rain, freezing rain, ice, and scattered snow from Texas through the Southeast [2][3]. Temperatures will be 20‑30 °F below normal, with daytime highs stuck in the 30s‑40s, marking the coldest air mass of the season [2][3]. The leading edge moves from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas on Friday into Texas and Louisiana by Saturday, creating significant icing risks on bridges and elevated roadways.
Travel Risks and Vehicle Preparations Emphasized Nationwide Officials stress that icy surfaces and reduced visibility could disrupt weekend travel, especially on overpasses and bridges [2][3]. Drivers are advised to winterize vehicles—checking batteries, antifreeze, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers—and to carry emergency kits containing jumper cables, flashlights, ice scrapers, blankets, and food [2][3]. These precautions aim to mitigate the danger of stranded motorists during the expected wintry mix.
Recent Midwest/East Coast Storm Highlights Ongoing Cold Pattern winter storm on Jan 17 blanketed the Midwest and East Coast with snow and sub‑freezing wind chills, producing whiteout conditions in Cleveland and sub‑zero chills from the Plains to the Northeast [4]. The same arctic system now affecting Ohio is linked to that broader cold outbreak, underscoring the persistence of severe winter weather across the country [1][4]. Meteorologists note the pattern may return next weekend, prompting additional alert days in the region [1].
Sources (4 articles)
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[1]
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast brings subzero wind chills to central Ohio through Tuesday: Details the forecast of 20‑degree highs, wind chills of –5 °F to –15 °F, NWS advisory, and potential weekend re‑intensification
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[2]
WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast forecast to bring ice and cold rain to the South this weekend: Outlines the southward push of arctic air, expected ice, freezing rain, snow, 20‑30 °F below‑average temps, and travel hazards
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[3]
King5 (Seattle, WA): Arctic blast to bring cold rain and ice to the South this weekend: Mirrors the southern forecast, adds snow potential from North Texas to Oklahoma, and repeats vehicle‑winterization advice
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[4]
AP: Winter storm blankets Midwest and East Coast with snow and subfreezing wind chills: Reports the Jan 17 storm’s snow, whiteouts in Cleveland, and widespread sub‑zero wind chills, linking it to the current arctic pattern
Stories about this story (9 stories)
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast brings subzero wind chills to central Ohio through Tuesday
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Arctic Air Surge Promises Ice, Cold Rain Across Southern United States This Weekend (2 articles)
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AP: Winter storm blankets Midwest and East Coast with snow and subfreezing wind chills
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Arctic Air Surge Brings Subzero Wind Chills and Foot‑Plus Snow Across Midwest, East (2 articles)
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Newsweek: Arctic blast to start 2026 with dangerous cold and travel disruptions
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Polar Vortex Drives Near‑Record Arctic Cold Across Midwest, East (2 articles)
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Arctic Air Surge Set to Deliver Mid‑December Cold Across Eastern United States (3 articles)
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Newsweek: Winter Weather Live Tracker: Nine-State Storm and Polar Vortex Bring Heavy Snow and Extreme Cold
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CNN: Arctic Air Mass Brings Record Cold to Midwest and Northeast
All related articles (14 articles)
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast brings subzero wind chills to central Ohio through Tuesday
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast forecast to bring ice and cold rain to the South this weekend
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Arctic blast to bring cold rain and ice to the South this weekend
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AP: Winter storm blankets Midwest and East Coast with snow and subfreezing wind chills
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic air surge to bring deep cold and snow to Midwest and East this week
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Arctic air surge to sweep Midwest and East with heavy snow forecast
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Newsweek: Arctic blast to start 2026 with dangerous cold and travel disruptions
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Newsweek: Polar Vortex Brings Extreme Cold Across Central and Eastern U.S.
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Newsweek: Polar Vortex Forecast: Near Record Cold Expected Through Sunday Across Midwest and East
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Arctic blast could bring the coldest December temperatures to the Eastern U.S.
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Arctic blast could bring coldest temperatures of the season to parts of the U.S.
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Newsweek: Winter Weather Live Tracker: Nine-State Storm and Polar Vortex Bring Heavy Snow and Extreme Cold
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Newsweek: Polar Vortex Forecast: Fresh Arctic Blast Expected Dec. 12‑14 Across Northeast
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CNN: Arctic Air Mass Brings Record Cold to Midwest and Northeast
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