Dramatically colder air to infiltrate central, eastern US into the Christmas holiday

Dangerously cold air will plunge into the central United States this weekend, before cold expands eastward through the Christmas holiday.

A dip in the jet stream late this week will open the door for progressively colder air to seep into the United States, especially the northern Plains. As the pattern evolves, arctic air will have a free ride into the Central states.

Temperatures be no higher than the 20s F for cities like Minneapolis and Sioux Falls, South Dakota this weekend.

Temperatures will tumble well below average on Monday as the arctic portion of the air arrives. Parts of North Dakota and Minnesota may not get out of the single digits.

Cold of this magnitude is dangerous for anyone who will be outdoors, no matter the length of time. It's important to bundle up and cover as much skin as possible to avoid the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia.

"Parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada to Montana and the Dakotas have had temperatures well above normal for the first half of December," said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

The dramatic change in temperatures is likely to add to the shock value of the upcoming cold, according to Pastelok.

Any breeze across the region could make it feel even colder. Daytime AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees lower than the actual temperature.

"The northern Plains should be prepared for the coldest air so far this month and possibly their coldest air so far this season," said Pastelok.

The bitterly cold air will increase the heating demand. Those gathering with family members to celebrate the holidays may need to crank up the heat to keep it comfortable inside and to protect any pipes from freezing in the extreme cold.

Cold air, albeit not as harsh, to progress into East

Meanwhile, cold air will make slower progress in reaching the East Coast. In fact, warmer-than-normal weather will first grip the East over the weekend.

Afternoon high temperatures farther east, in cities such as Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, will be as much as 15 degrees above normal on Saturday. Temperatures will climb to near 60 in Philadelphia and reach the 50s in New York City and Boston.

On Sunday, temperatures will return to near-normal levels for late December, ahead of even colder air.

The exact timing of the coldest air's arrival will depend on how quickly the jet stream surges eastward.

"Christmas Eve night and into Christmas Day could be a transition time period for much of the East. Wet and near-normal conditions will be replaced with colder air," added Pastelok.

Should the cold advance more slowly behind a storm bringing precipitation, near-normal temperatures could be in store for much of the Northeast and Tennessee Valley on Christmas Day. The most drastic dip in temperatures would then wait until Tuesday.

When the coldest air arrives, temperatures will likely climb into only the lower 30s for places from Boston to Washington D.C., with highs in the 20s back across interior parts of the Northeast.

Temperatures are likely to be no higher than the teens in Chicago on Christmas Day and Tuesday.

Cold is likely to hold on to the northern tier of the U.S. through the start of the new year.

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