Coldest air of season targets over 200 million across 30 states as major cities face first freeze
By Friday, the coldest air locks in, and 230 million people will feel the bitter temps.
Coldest air of the season on the way for 30+ states
Major cities across the Lower 48 could see their first frost or freeze this week, as cold air funnels over the eastern half of the country. Below-average temperatures are expected for more than 230 million people by Friday.
THE TAKEAWAY
- More than 30 states across the Eastern U.S. will see temperatures well below average.
- By Friday, 230 million people will feel the cold.
- For many places, this will be the first freeze of the season.
More than 30 states across the Lower 48 are forecast to see their coldest temperatures of the fall so far heading into the weekend, with the first frost looming for many major cities.
Behind the developing nor'easter that's looming for Thursday, a large area of high pressure from Canada will funnel into the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains, unleashing the season’s most widespread and powerful blast of cold air.
Mild air stayed mostly in the East on Wednesday, while the number of people feeling below-average temperatures jumped from just 3 million Wednesday to more than 90 million on Thursday.
(FOX Weather)
By Friday, the coldest air locks in, and 230 million people will feel the bitter temps.
By Saturday and Sunday, morning low temperatures will dip into the 30s or lower in many of these places.
This cold air isn't expected to break records, but for many places, it'll bring the first freeze of the season.
(FOX Weather)
Frost and freezing conditions will be likely for more than 30 states east of the Rockies.
The FOX Forecast Center said this shot of cold air is expected to mark the end of the prolonged autumnal warmth, driven by El Niño conditions, bringing on the official arrival of freezing temperatures.
05 November 2026, Lower Saxony, Hanover: Hoarfrost covers a plant in an allotment garden.
(Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance / Getty Images)
In the Central Plains, sub-freezing air will drop overnight lows into the mid-to-upper 20s. Omaha and Kansas City will officially lock in their first widespread hard freezes of the year.
Meanwhile, the Great Lakes will struggle to get out of the low 40s during the day, but overnight lows will dip well below 20 degrees.
Major metros like Chicago and Detroit will see sub-freezing temperatures for the first time this year, the FOX Forecast Center said.
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(FOX Weather)
Shifting into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, the first freeze comes on Saturday and Sunday morning for cities like Louisville, Indianapolis and Roanoke, Virginia.
The southern edge of the cold will push along the Gulf Coast and down into Florida, the FOX Forecast Center said.
While freezing temperatures will remain well north of the Florida state line, the departure from average will be significant.
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(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center said high pressure building over the Southeast will drive sustained northerly winds, dragging crisp, dry air dropping temperatures 10 to 15 degrees below average.
Northern Florida will report low temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s, with patchy frost possible in some places inland.
Central Florida will be a smidge warmer, waking up to crisp morning lows in the mid-to-upper 40s on both Saturday and Sunday morning.
(FOX Weather)
South Florida will stay out of the coldest air, but a slight chill will bring low temperatures to the high 50s.
Afternoon high temperatures across the state will struggle to get out of the 60s, making for some incredible fall-feeling days.
The chill will continue into next week for the far east, but the central U.S. is expected to warm up.