Arctic blast to bring frigid temperatures to most of the U.S.

An Arctic blast is expected to bring icy conditions to two-thirds of the nation from Monday and bring record cold to the South

An Arctic blast is expected to bring icy conditions to two-thirds of the nation from Monday and bring record cold to the South.

The cold air broke off from the polar vortex above Canada, sending the cold air south. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged people to use caution and prepare for the first winter storm of the 2025-26 season.

More than 84 million people are at risk and are under advisories, watches and warnings on freezing conditions, winter weather and snow in cities such as Dallas; Oklahoma City; Little Rock, Arkansas; New Orleans; Jacksonville, Florida; Atlanta; North Carolina cities Charlotte and Raleigh; and New York. Dozens of record lows could be set Tuesday.

Across the Great Lakes, the interior Northeast and the Appalachians, 28 million people are under winter weather alerts. The alerts include cities like Chicago; Milwaukee; Marquette, Michigan; Cleveland; Erie, Pennsylvania; and Charleston, West Virginia.

The blast is forecast to spread across the eastern two-thirds of the nation, and it could bring freezing temperatures to much of the South by Tuesday while setting low temperature records, the National Weather Service said in Sunday's national forecast discussion.