Severe snowfall and icy Arctic temperatures place 70 million in the US under winter storm alerts.

BOSTON — Residents along the East Coast are preparing for several inches of snow expected Sunday, followed by a significant drop in temperatures that will affect much of the country from the Northern Plains to the northernmost regions of Maine.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for select areas in the Mid-Atlantic region, which are set to remain in effect through Monday morning. Forecasts suggest snowfall could reach up to six inches (15 centimeters) in these regions. New England will also begin to experience warnings on Sunday afternoon, with Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut anticipating accumulations of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow.

Meteorologist Marc Chenard from the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland, estimates that nearly 70 million individuals will be under some form of winter storm warning in the upcoming days, particularly impacting New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions. Major urban centers like Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston are likely to receive several inches of snow throughout the evening, while higher totals are expected in suburban areas.

Chenard cautioned about potentially hazardous road conditions, particularly along the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., through New York. He noted that as temperatures plunge, untreated or unplowed roads may pose additional risks for travelers by Monday morning.

The impending snowfall has already disrupted air travel along the Eastern Seaboard. Approximately 130 flights were canceled and nearly 90 were delayed at New York City-area airports, with similar cancellations at airports in Washington, D.C., and Boston.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has advised residents to use public transportation like subways and buses during the storm to facilitate snow clearing efforts. He encouraged residents to seek assistance for heating or plumbing issues by calling 311 and to check in on neighbors during the cold weather.

“Tomorrow we will face cold temperatures and strong winds, which could be dangerous,” Adams stated during a press briefing on Saturday. “It’s vital that we support one another and ensure the safety of our pets and community members.”

The weather service has indicated that western New York might experience snow showers on Sunday afternoon and evening, coinciding with an NFL playoff game featuring the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens starting at 6:30 p.m. Heavier lake-effect snow is anticipated in this region from Monday through Wednesday, with accumulations reaching between 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in certain areas, particularly along Lake Ontario.

In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency across all 21 counties. A winter storm warning applies to 10 counties in the northern part of the state, where snowfall predictions range from 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) from Sunday afternoon into the late evening.

To combat the freezing temperatures, various cities and towns are opening warming centers to assist those in need over the next few days.

The snowfall is just the beginning of a tumultuous weather week ahead as the Eastern Seaboard braces for some of the winter’s coldest temperatures. Temperatures across areas from the Rockies to the Northern Plains could drop to between minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 34 degrees Celsius) and minus 55 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 48 degrees Celsius) on Sunday and Monday. Wind chills have already plummeted to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 degrees Celsius) in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota, with sub-zero wind chills expected to extend as far south as Oklahoma and the Tennessee Valley.

Authorities in Minnesota have advised residents to dress appropriately and maintain a survival kit while traveling. Kristi Rollwagen, director of homeland security and emergency management at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, also recommended that motorists keep their gas tanks full and phones charged to stay connected with family and friends.

“This weather is not unprecedented for us, but serves as a reminder of Minnesota’s winter conditions,” Rollwagen remarked.

The anticipated cold temperatures for Washington, D.C., have led to the decision to move President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony indoors to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

“It’s going to be a cold day in Washington, D.C. on Monday. That’s for sure,” Chenard emphasized, noting that temperatures will hover in the 20s, with gusty winds exceeding 30 mph (48 kph).

This latest cold wave is attributed to a disruption in the polar vortex, a ring of frigid air generally contained around the North Pole. While the cold air will gradually moderate as it spreads southward and eastward, much of the Central and Eastern United States will still experience temperatures in the teens and 20s through Monday and Tuesday. The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions will have daytime highs in the teens and 20s, and nighttime lows potentially dipping below zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius), accompanied by wind chills below zero.

As the frigid air surges southward early this week, it is expected that around 30 million people could encounter a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain extending from Texas to northern Florida and the Carolinas. This unusual weather pattern is forecast to begin affecting Texas on Monday night and then spread across the Gulf Coast and Southeast from Tuesday into Wednesday.

The severe weather is driven by a combination of frigid air and a low-pressure system over the Gulf, which may result in heavy snow south of the Interstate 20 corridor across northern Louisiana, with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain prevailing near the Interstate 10 corridor from Houston to Mobile, Alabama. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has already issued a state of emergency to warn residents to stay alert and prepare for the impending severe weather.