Heat wave in the east and extreme cold in the west: the unusual combination that has put almost 20 million in the US on alert

During the next few days, nearly every region of the United States will experience a chaotic mix of temperatures: is expected a record cold across the west and unusually warm weather in the southeast and the mid-Atlantic, which will cause a series of inconveniences in a large part of the country.

In addition, severe weather is forecast for parts of the Mid-South this Wednesday, with a risk of some tornadoes.

However, Unusually warm days are expected in the southeast of the country. Some places might record high temperature records.

Extreme Weather Map USA.

Credit: National Weather Service

Here’s what to expect from the weather across the US over the next few days and the dangers they pose:

Snow Accumulation in the Western and Northern US

Much of the northwest of the country will face a wave of alerts for snow and winter weather starting this Monday night caused by a system moving from British Columbia, Canada, and heading east from Montana, heading for South Dakota and Minnesota, where it will arrive on Tuesday.

Late on Tuesday and into Wednesday, the cold will expand into a massive winter storm. Snow will fall from Minnesota to Maine. The snow is expected to deliver some of the worst blows of winter to the region.

In Minneapolis, which is under a winter storm watch, there is a chance that 12 to 18 inches or more will fall, the most in more than a decade.

A second wave of storms will also affect a region from the northwest of the United States, along the Pacific fringe, to California from Wednesday to Friday. Snowfall is expected in Seattle and Portland. To the south, in Sacramento, California, sleet might be experienced.

Dangerous highway freezing rain, which occurs when rain freezes on a surface that has cooled below 32º F, is also expected to form.

It is forecast that this phenomenon happen from Wednesday morning and Thursday in the regions north of Interstate 80 in Iowaalong the Illinois-Wisconsin border, which includes northern Chicago, southern Michigan, and parts of New York and Pennsylvania.

Cities most at risk include Des Moines; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Buffalo; and Syracuse, New York.

Record low temperatures in some areas

Towards the middle or end of the week, unusually cold temperatures will be felt from Montana and eastern Wyoming to the High Plains of the Dakotas and western Nebraska. There, temperatures are likely to be 40 degrees cooler than average.

Thursday morning might set a record in Scottsbluff, Nebraska at -15º F, surpassing 1993’s -13º F.

En Rapid City, South Dakota, -13º F is expected, falling just shy of last year’s -17º F.

In California, temperatures will be up to 10 to 20 degrees below normal. In Los Angeles, the high forecast for Thursday is just 53º F, close to the all-time low of 51º F for a high temperature this time of year.

“The coldest storm of the season, and possibly in recent years, is expected to impact the Southwest (California) on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday with rain in the coasts and valleys, mainly with snow in the mountains and deserts,” he tweeted. on Sunday the office of the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

Record heat on the East Coast

Contrary to what will happen in the west and north of the country, A warm wave is forecast for the Southeast, the East Coast, and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. The highs might run 25 to 30 degrees above average.

In total, more than 130 high temperature records might be recorded in the southeast from Tuesday to Friday, 40 of them in the northwest of the country. On Thursday, it might be 100 degrees from North Dakota to Florida.

Washington, DC, might approach 80º F on Thursday. He would thus surpass the February 23 record of 78º F, set in 1874, 149 years ago. The average high this time of year is closer to 50º F.

It is forecast that Nashville reaches 80º F on Wednesday and 82º F on Thursday. Wednesday’s reading would break the record high of 74 set in 1897, though Thursday’s temperature might be below the record high of 83 set in 1996.

In the Carolinas, some highs are likely in the 80’s even up to 90’s; The same will happen in southern regions of the country and in Florida, where there will also be a risk of severe storms.

Dangerous storms in the Texas area

That mixture of temperatures in the east, west and in ice of the north It will cause a series of dangerous storms in the southern part of the country.

A change in wind speed or direction with height will encourage the formation of thunderstorms.

The Storm Prediction Center pointed out the possibility that they appear large hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes. Areas at risk include Dallas, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Greenville, South Carolina.

1/10

The pile-up occurred on Interstate 70, which has been closed by authorities in both directions. The Colorado Highway Patrol reported that 9 trucks and 12 private vehicles were involved in the incident with no injuries reported. A powerful winter storm has battered parts, leaving snowfall records not seen since 1992.

Credit: CSP / Twitter

2/10

Colorado authorities did not indicate when they might reopen traffic on I-70, but warned that it will take until Thursday to erase the traces of the accident. Likewise, they recommend drivers not to take alternative routes because adverse weather conditions still persist that turn the roads into authentic skating rinks.

Credit: CSP Twitter

3/10

The Colorado Department of Transportation said lanes were closed due to near-zero visibility conditions. The weather forecast warns of new snow storms this week.

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4/10

The Colorado State Patrol asks travelers to stay home while inclement weather persists. “If the trip is unavoidable, take the time before the storm begins to ensure that your vehicle is properly equipped,” says a recommendation from the authorities.

Elbert County Office of Emergency Management / Facebook

5/10

The roads have been closed as a precaution. Colorado authorities recommend travelers bring extra clothing, snow boots and blankets, along with some food and water in case they must shelter in their vehicles for some time.

Credit: Elbert County Office of Emergency Management / Facebook

6/10

In Denver, up to 18 inches of snow were expected this Wednesday due to the passage of a new winter storm. The system has caused the closure of several highways and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

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7/10

Hours before the pileup on I-70, there was another collision on a secondary road, the Colorado Highway Patrol reported. There were no injuries, but authorities warned regarding “how quickly things can change” when driving in difficult conditions.

Credit: CSP / Twitter

8/10

This is how a patrol was left impacted by another vehicle that slid down the road.

Credit: CPS / Twitter

9/10

A bulldozer truck removes snowpack from a Denver avenue following a winter storm with heavy snow blanketed the state.

Credit: David Zalubowski/AP

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10/10

A man clears accumulated snow in Denver following a brutal snowstorm left roads impassable.

Credit: David Zalubowski/AP