An ‘extreme cold warning’ has been issued in more than 20 states as temperatures are expected to remain so low that it could be deadly to go outside in many areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said a stretch of the US from Texas to New York will experience bone-chilling temperatures and even colder wind chills on Monday and into Tuesday following the weekend’s historic winter storm.
Areas as far south as the Florida panhandle and southern Georgia will see morning wild chills reach the teens and single digits, with prolonged exposure to this cold potentially causing hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin within minutes.
States throughout the Gulf, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, will see wild chills drop to 10 degrees below zero, cold enough to cause frostbite in just 30 minutes.
In the Midwest, parts of Ohio, Nebraska, and Minnesota are expected to experience wind chills hit between 30 and 45 degrees below zero, which would potentially make stepping outside deadly in less than 20 minutes.
The deep freeze warning has impacted dozens of states affected by Winter Storm Fern, including Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
At least 16 people have died as a result of Winter Storm Fern, and meteorologists warned that widespread power outages could leave hundreds of thousands of Americans without heat for days as the extended cold snap sets in.
The historic winter event spanned over 2,000 miles, bringing over a foot of snow, ice storms, and sub-zero temperatures to more than 150million people this weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme cold warning (Seen in dark blue) for over 20 states this week
Fountains in New York City froze solid during the weekend snow storm and temperatures are expected to remain below freezing this week
Workers clear snow outside the US Capitol on Monday in Washington, DC
On Friday, meteorologist Ryan Hall told Daily Mail that a large stretch of the South and Midwest should expect to see extreme cold temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Fahrenheit for several days this week.
He added that for those who lose power, especially in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, this week’s arctic blast could also make it deadly to stay inside unheated homes.
‘We’ve got to make sure people know that they’ve got to find alternative ways to heat their house. And if they don’t have that, then staying in their house is not a safe, viable option. We’ve got to really help people find shelters,’ Hall said.
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in your body’s core temperature, usually caused by exposure to very cold conditions for too long without proper winter clothing.
Early symptoms include intense shivering, feeling very tired or confused, slurred speech, and struggling with movement and coordination.
Frostbite happens when skin and the tissue just under it freeze from extreme cold, most often affecting fingers, toes, nose, and ears if you leave them exposed on dangerously frigid days.
Initial signs include numb or tingly skin that turns white, pale, or grayish-yellow and may feel hard or waxy to the touch.
‘Dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside,’ NWS advised on Monday.
A woman tries to navigate a snowy intersection without spilling her coffee in New York
A woman is seen walking in Sunday’s winter storm. Wild chills are expected fall below zero in several states, making exposed skin vulnerable to frostbite within minutes
Extremely cold temperatures following Winter Storm Fern are expected to last for days throughout the South, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast
NWS officials recommended that anyone living in affected areas of the country ‘make frequent checks’ on older relatives, friends, and neighbors who may be impacted by the cold.
Their tips also included making sure all pets are kept indoors for as long as possible.
As for potential damage to homes and infrastructure, NWS noted that pipes can easily freeze during an extreme cold emergency. This can cause them to burst and damage property if they are still full of water.
To avoid this, any pipes exposed to the cold, including those outdoors or in unheated basements, should be wrapped, insulated, and drained of water.
Thousands of Americans are without power and heat after Winter Storm Fern blanketed nearly 30 states with snow and ice, including Oklahoma (Pictured)
Crews used snowblowers and small excavators attempted to clear sidewalks in Silver Spring, Maryland on Monday
Landmarks in Tennessee were seen freezing over during Winter Storm Fern and the South and Midwest remain in an extreme cold warning on Monday and Tuesday
Additionally, officials warned that extremely cold weather can also bring the deadly threat of fires breaking out in people’s homes as Americans try to keep themselves warm.
Anyone using a portable heater has been urged to follow the instructions carefully to prevent them from setting blankets or other items on fire. NWS also warned against the use of generators and grills inside the home.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommended that Americans: ‘Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface. Keep them at least three feet from things that can burn.’
