Cold Snap Bringing First Frost Or Freeze To Parts Of Midwest, South And East

 Chris Dolce

Published: October 30, 2023

A widespread cold snap is spreading across the Lower 48 this week, bringing with it the first frost or freeze of the season and possible record lows to parts of the Midwest, South and East.

W​here the cold air is right now: A strong high-pressure system that stretches from western Canada into the Plains is the source for this blast of cold air. So far, that colder air has spread as far south as Texas and as far east as the Great Lakes.

(​MORE: Current National Temperatures)

Current Temperatures

H​ere's where the cold air is headed next: The surge of cold air will continue to ooze south and east to start the week, erasing any memory of the recent warmth many parts of the country just enjoyed. Most areas from the Plains to the East Coast will have below-average temperatures by Tuesday.

(MORE: Track The Cold Plunge With 10-Day Forecast Temperature Maps)

Forecast Highs Compared To Average

L​ow temperatures will bring a frost and/or freeze to millions: The National Weather Service has issued frost or freeze alerts from parts of the Southwest into the Midwest, Southeast and interior Northeast. Additional alerts could be issued over the next few days.

A frost generally occurs when temperatures drop below 36 degrees and a freeze happens when temperatures hit 32 degrees or lower.

Frost And Freeze Alerts

Daily record lows could also be in jeopardy in the portions of the Midwest, South and East: More than four dozen locations could be within a few degrees of daily record lows, especially Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Here are a few of the records to be beat each day.

W​ednesday: Kansas City (20 degrees); Oklahoma City (25 degrees); Dallas/Fort Worth (31 degrees); St. Louis (26 degrees); Nashville (27 degrees)

T​hursday: Charleston, West Virginia (24 degrees); Asheville, North Carolina (20 degrees); Trenton, New Jersey (29 degrees)

Forecast Lows

Chris Dolce has been a senior meteorologist with weather.com for over 10 years after beginning his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.

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.