Flash Freeze Hits US as Temperature Plunges 42° in Less Than an Hour

The temperature in Cheyenne, Wyoming dropped 42 degrees in just one hour on Wednesday, a new record for the state.

Temperatures in the state capitol dropped 40 degrees in just 30 minutes between 1:05 p.m. and 1:35 p.m. local time, according to the federal National Weather Service (NWS).

The Cheyenne branch of the NWS tweeted: “The cold front has arrived in Cheyenne and it is already breaking records! ! This shatters our previous one-hour temperature drop record of 37 degrees, and we’re continuing to drop!”

AccuWeather reports that the temperature then fell a further 2 degrees, making the final figure a drop of 42 degrees over an hour. Later, the NWS confirmed a temperature drop for Cheyenne of 51 degrees in two hours, from 42 degrees to -9 degrees over this period.

On Wednesday, NWS Cheyenne warned Wyoming residents to expect “dangerously cold weather through Friday morning!” It said this period would see “extremely dangerous and potentially deadly wind chill values” for the state.

Much of the United States is being hit by winter storm Elliott, which has brought down arctic conditions from the north, including blizzards in some areas. The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that “extremely cold arctic air” would “impact much of the country” between December 22 and 26.

“Temperature 40 degrees below average and dangerous wind chills as low as 50 below zero are possible in the northern Rockies and northern Plains,” NOAA said. “Sub-zero to single-digit temperatures are likely across the Central Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midsouth.

“Temperatures well below freezing will extend across the mid-Atlantic, northeast and as far south as the Gulf Coast over the holiday weekend.”

NOAA continued, “Hazardous winter conditions coupled with a severe winter storm will pose challenges for some vacationers. Heavy snowfall and high winds are expected from the Plains and Midwest to the Great Lakes Wednesday, Dec. 21 through Saturday, Dec. 24. . “

The Weather Channel advises against crossing a wide area stretching from the northern plains to the south-central, via the Great Lakes, which could become “difficult or impossible”.

Cities affected include Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville and Memphis, the channel said.

Oregon residents have been warned to expect “freezing rain” between Thursday evening and Saturday, which will freeze as soon as it makes contact after landfall.

On Wednesday, KPTV meteorologist Mark Nelsen in Portland, Oregon, said Thursday would be the best day to travel to the state before Christmas, “if you have the choice.”

Every state in the continental United States should expect temperatures to drop below 20 degrees on Christmas Eve, according to the NWS.

Temperatures in the Texas Panhandle could drop to 40 degrees below the seasonal average on Thursday, raising concerns about Texas’ power supply, which failed in February 2021.