Widespread Arctic Outbreak Bringing Winter's Coldest Temperatures Yet to Plains, Midwest

 Linda Lam

Published: February 7, 2021

Arctic air has surged into the Plains and Midwest, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season so far to many cities in those regions.

The initial blast of arctic air arrived in the Plains and Midwest this weekend. A southward plunge of the jet stream will keep parts of those regions shivering through much of the week ahead.

Subzero low temperatures were recorded Sunday morning in Chicago (minus 6 degrees), Minneapolis (minus 15 degrees) and Des Moines, Iowa (minus 5 degrees). Those are the coldest temperatures so far this winter in all of those cities.

International Falls, Minnesota, had a wind chill that was nearly 50 degrees below zero early Sunday.

Current Temperatures

Frigid Forecast

This cold blast won't ease up anytime soon.

Areas from the Northern and Central Plains to the upper Midwest can expect the arctic cold to remain entrenched through the week ahead. High and low temperatures are expected to be 15 to 40 degrees colder than average at times.

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Forecast Highs

Subzero low temperatures will be common throughout the week ahead from Montana and the Dakotas into Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Teens and 20s below zero are most likely to grip areas from Montana and the Dakotas to northern and central Minnesota.

Lows in the single digits above and below zero are expected through the end of the week from Omaha, Nebraska, to Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago.

Forecast Morning Lows

The wind will make it feel even colder and dangerous wind chills are anticipated at times.

Below is a look at where the National Weather Service has issued wind chill warnings and advisories for parts of the Northern Plains and upper Midwest. Limit time outside and if you need to head outdoors take precautions to cover your skin.

(MORE: What is the Wind Chill?)

Wind Chill Alerts

Wind chills in the morning over the next several days will generally range from the 30s and 40s below zero near the Canadian border to the single digits, teens and 20s below zero elsewhere in the Plains and Midwest.

Below is a look at how cold the wind chills are predicted to be on Tuesday morning.

(MORE: What You Need to Know When It Gets Ridiculously Cold)

Wind Chill Forecast

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.