Overview

• Extreme cold warnings are active across 16 states, with temperatures plunging up to 60 degrees below zero in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota.
• Wind chill values are creating dangerous conditions, with frostbite possible in minutes and hypothermia risks even in above-freezing temperatures.
• Texas and Florida are experiencing rare bouts of extreme cold, with wind chills in Texas dropping to single digits and freeze watches issued for parts of Florida.
• The Arctic air mass responsible for the cold snap is expected to move east by the weekend, bringing relief to affected areas as temperatures rise above average.
• Authorities are urging precautions for vulnerable populations, pets, and plants, while providing guidance on recognizing frostbite and hypothermia symptoms.