Arctic plunge: Polar vortex locks in snow, ice and life-threatening cold behind historic cross-country storm
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the Midwest, in particular, is entering a prolonged stretch where temperatures may not rise above freezing for the rest of the month.
Arctic plunge: Polar vortex locks in snow, ice and life-threatening cold behind historic storm
Behind the historic winter storm that blasted 40 states this weekend, a dome of Arctic air associated with the polar vortex will bring days of life-threatening temperatures to much of the country, refreezing ice and snow, and potentially exacerbating widespread power outages caused by the sprawling system. Extreme Cold Warnings are currently in effect across much of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi through midday Monday — the states with the greatest concentration of outages.
Behind the historic winter storm that blasted 40 states this weekend, a dome of Arctic air associated with the polar vortex will bring days of life-threatening temperatures to much of the country, refreezing ice and snow, and potentially exacerbating widespread power outages caused by the sprawling system.
LIVE UPDATES: HISTORIC WINTER STORM SLAMS 40 STATES, UNLEASHING CRIPPLING ICE, HEAVY SNOW
![Ice downs tree in Oxford, MS.]()
Image 1 of 6Ice downs tree in Oxford, MS. (Louis)
![Snow and ice across Wichita Falls, TX.]()
Image 2 of 6Snow and ice across Wichita Falls, TX. (Vicki)
![Ice snaps tree in Franklin, TN.]()
Image 3 of 6Ice snaps tree in Franklin, TN. (Kevin Gaither)
![NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 24: Snow begins to collect on Nolensville Pike on January 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. A massive winter storm is expected to bring frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to millions of Americans across the nation.]()
Image 4 of 6NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 24: Snow begins to collect on Nolensville Pike on January 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. A massive winter storm is expected to bring frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to millions of Americans across the nation. ((Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images))
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Image 5 of 6NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 24: Snow falls downtown in the lower Broadway area on January 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to millions of Americans across the nation. ((Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images))
![Crews work to clear snow from a sidewalk during a winter storm in Kansas City, Missouri, US, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.]()
Image 6 of 6Crews work to clear snow from a sidewalk during a winter storm in Kansas City, Missouri, US, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Clayton Steward/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Bone-chilling temperatures have already taken hold across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest and Northeast, as the Arctic air mass extends into the Southern Plains and Southeast.
Extreme Cold Warnings are currently in effect across much of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi through midday Monday — the states with the greatest concentration of outages.
(FOX Weather)
Record low temperatures are possible across the Southern Plains on Monday. Temperatures in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Little Rock, Arkansas are forecast to drop into the single digits.
Dallas will likely not get out of the teens on Monday.
A widespread flash freeze existing of snow and ice on the ground could create another round of nearly impossible driving conditions for utility crews and first responders, setting up dangerous wait times in life-threatening cold for those without power.
(FOX Weather)
Wind chill temperatures dropped to almost -50 degrees across most of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Saturday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the Midwest, in particular, is entering a prolonged stretch where temperatures may not rise above freezing for the rest of the month.
FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is in Tulsa as snow accumulations rise
Oklahoma has continued to see snow since Friday, with Tulsa picking up 4–5 inches overnight. More snow is expected today as bitter temperatures persist, and the state even broke two records yesterday. FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel has the latest:
Duluth, Minnesota is expected to drop to -40 degrees with the wind chill on Monday.
New York City will likely experience wind chills in the single digits for the rest of the week.
The Arctic plunge is being driven by a shift in a lobe of the polar vortex, which contains some of the coldest air on the planet. This part of the polar vortex has shifted south, unusually close to much of the eastern U.S. and will allow for the continuous waves of subfreezing temperatures to grip parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
(FOX Weather)
The displacement of the polar vortex over the eastern half of the U.S. will usher in days of arctic cold through the end of January.
Exposure to subfreezing temperatures can cause frostbite to occur in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.