Arctic Air Plunging South, Major Winter Storm Building for Friday

A strong burst of arctic air continues to spread through the northern tier of the U.S. Thursday afternoon. Temperatures have been falling all day and some areas that go below zero will not rise above zero for several days. That cold air will penetrate down to the South on Friday and a system moving into California will produce a major winter storm for the southern and eastern U.S. through the weekend. Widespread areas of heavy freezing rain, sleet, and snow will combine to produce significant hazards and impacts to travel, transport, and infrastructure. Not to mention the arctic cold that will be left behind after the system leaves.