Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Arctic Blast Hits U.S., 230 Million Face Extreme Cold

2/21/2025

37 8

Summary

Story summary

An Arctic blast is sweeping across the central U.S., plunging over 230 million Americans into dangerously frigid conditions. With wind chills plummeting to a bone-chilling -51°F in Montana and -30°F in the Midwest, extreme cold warnings are in place. Residents are advised to hunker down and brace for possible power outages as temperatures are set to rise by the weekend.

History

Historical Context

An Arctic blast is currently affecting over 230 million Americans, with wind chills reaching -51°F in Montana. This extreme cold echoes the January 2019 cold wave, when a weakened polar vortex plunged temperatures across the Midwest, resulting in 22 fatalities. Such severe weather events have been linked to climate change, which may be altering jet stream patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme cold spells.

1 of 2

Story summary

An Arctic blast is sweeping across the central U.S., plunging over 230 million Americans into dangerously frigid conditions. With wind chills plummeting to a bone-chilling -51°F in Montana and -30°F in the Midwest, extreme cold warnings are in place. Residents are advised to hunker down and brace for possible power outages as temperatures are set to rise by the weekend.

1 / 2