Prolonged cold to freeze northern Plains, Midwest into the weekend
Waves of cold will keep it feeling wintry in the Midwest into the beginning of next week, in addition to bringing chances for snow.
"The core of the cold will remain across the northern and central Plains," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
In the deepest cold air, high temperatures will stay in the 20s F in Bismarck, North Dakota, through Friday. The city's normal high this time of year is in the middle 40s.
In these more northerly locations, AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures will hold in the single digits, or perhaps dip below 0 degrees.
Cities like Fargo, North Dakota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Omaha, Nebraska will be some of the coldest places through Friday night.
"This is the type of cold that can cause non-winterized items such as garden hoses, bird baths and pool pumps to freeze if water remains in these items," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel.
"Be sure to bring pets indoors," Samuhel said.
High temperatures will struggle to reach 30 F on Friday, remaining at least 10 degrees below normal. At times, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be held to the single digits.
Cold will also be seeping farther south and east through the weekend and into early next week.
Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis will turn noticeably colder in time for the start of the weekend on Saturday.
Breezy conditions, with gusts up to 35 mph, in these cities will build upon the chilly air, making to feel even colder than the actual temperature.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will end up in the teens, especially after the sun goes down and in the early mornings.
Download the free AccuWeather app to check AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures for your location.
The southward dip in the jet stream, which has ushered in cold air this week, doesn't look to recede back north for the next week or so.
"This keeps the door open for pushes of cold air through at least the weekend," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis.
The intrusion of cold air will be accompanied by more opportunities for snow.
"The frigid air passing over the still warm Great Lakes will bring rounds of lake-effect snow," said Travis.
Snow developing on Friday night and continuing into Saturday is likely to be the first major lake-effect snow event for many, Travis added.
Another round of lake-effect snow could be in store around the start of next week.
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