Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Arctic Blast: Snow and Freezing Temps Hit Midwest to Northeast

12/5/2025

33 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A powerful cold front moves across the United States, bringing first snow from the Midwest to the Northeast on Wednesday.
Whiteout conditions will affect travel as Arctic air drives temperatures lower.
Chicago is forecast to reach 5 degrees, while Minneapolis will be minus 4 degrees on Thursday.
Winter storm alerts are in effect in the West, with 3 to 13 inches of snow in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck from March 11 to 14, paralyzed the Eastern United States, causing over 400 fatalities and dropping 21 inches of snow in New York City within a day. This storm highlighted the vulnerabilities of transportation infrastructure, leading to the development of underground rail systems in response to the severe disruptions it caused across the region.

1 of 2

Story summary

A powerful cold front moves across the United States, bringing first snow from the Midwest to the Northeast on Wednesday.
Whiteout conditions will affect travel as Arctic air drives temperatures lower.
Chicago is forecast to reach 5 degrees, while Minneapolis will be minus 4 degrees on Thursday.
Winter storm alerts are in effect in the West, with 3 to 13 inches of snow in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

1 / 2