Extreme cold watches expand as Arctic outbreak spreads across central United States
A large and prolonged outbreak of Arctic air is spreading across the United States, prompting extreme cold watches across much of the northern and central United States from Thursday, January 22, 2026, through Friday, January 24. This Arctic outbreak will bring one of the most dangerous cold spells in recent years, with the greatest threat lasting from Thursday night through early Saturday morning.
Image credit: CDOT
Dangerously low wind chills are forecast from Montana and the Dakotas through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and into the central Plains and Midwest, with temperatures forecast to reach between -49 and -29°C (-55 to -20°F) in the hardest-hit areas.
The first impacts will be seen across the Northern Plains, where the air mass will deepen rapidly behind a strong Arctic front starting Friday. In North Dakota and northern Minnesota, wind chills are expected to reach between -49 and -43°C (-55 to -45°F), producing life-threatening exposure conditions.
Extreme cold watches cover parts of southern Minnesota from Wednesday night through Thursday, including Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Fargo, and Jamestown, which are forecast to experience the most intense cold early in the event, particularly from Thursday night into Friday morning, when frostbite may occur on exposed skin within five to ten minutes.
Farther west, large parts of Montana and South Dakota remain under extreme cold watches from late Wednesday night through Saturday morning. Wind chills are forecast to drop near -43 to -40°C (-45 to -40°F) across Daniels, Sheridan, Richland, and Roosevelt Counties.
Central and eastern South Dakota, including Aberdeen, Watertown, and Sioux Falls, will also experience extreme cold through Friday afternoon, with frostbite risk and hazardous travel conditions heightened by blowing snow. Across north-central Nebraska, wind chills are expected to reach around -36°C (-32°F) between late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Arctic air will then spread southeast into the Great Lakes and Midwest from Thursday night into Saturday. In Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, wind chills of -43 to -34°C (-45 to -30°F) are forecast, with frostbite possible within ten minutes.
Extreme cold watches have been issued for parts of Iowa, Illinois, and northern Missouri from Thursday night through Saturday morning. Temperatures and wind chills between -40 and -32°C (-40 to -25°F) are forecast across these regions, with watches in effect for Chicago, Des Moines, and Peoria, and alerts for dangerous cold on Friday morning.
By late Friday night, the Arctic air mass will reach the southern Plains, bringing subfreezing temperatures into Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Forecasts from the National Weather Service offices in Norman, Amarillo, and Lubbock indicate wind chills between -29 and -26°C (-20°F to -15°F) from late Friday into early Saturday. While some of these southern alerts are based on forecast guidance rather than fully issued watches, the expected cold will be sufficient to cause frostbite or hypothermia without proper protection.
The extreme cold is expected to cause widespread impacts across the affected regions. Exposure of unprotected skin could lead to frostbite within minutes in the northernmost areas, while prolonged freezing may damage water infrastructure and strain power systems.
Livestock producers have been urged to ensure access to enclosed shelters, food, and unfrozen water supplies. This Arctic outbreak will bring one of the most dangerous cold spells in recent years, with the greatest threat lasting from Thursday night through early Saturday morning.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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