Arctic Air and Flooding Threaten Parts of the U.S.

Sun Dec 14 2025 01:36:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A surge of Arctic air is sweeping down from Canada, impacting the northern U.S. while the Pacific Northwest grapples with severe flooding and the risk of mudslides.

Residents in the Pacific Northwest are facing evacuation due to catastrophic flooding caused by an atmospheric river, while dangerously cold Arctic air grips much of the Midwest, leading to record low temperatures and wind chills.

An intense blast of Arctic air is plunging south from Canada, affecting northern states in the U.S. At the same time, the Pacific Northwest is struggling to cope with catastrophic flooding and the potential for mudslides and levee failures as floodwaters are slow to recede.

This disastrous flooding prompted thousands to evacuate, including Eddie Wicks and his wife, who reside on a Washington state farm near the Snoqualmie River. As they moved their animals to safety, the floodwaters escalated rapidly, ultimately submerging their home.

Emergency responders from the King County Sheriff’s Office successfully rescued the couple and their dog with a marine unit boat as the area transformed into a lake.

Big Cities Prepare for Arctic Chill

While the Pacific Northwest is recovering from flooding, a separate system kicked in, bringing severe wind chills across the Upper Midwest. In Grand Forks, North Dakota, temperatures reached minus 12°F, with wind chill making it feel like minus 33°F.

Minneapolis and Chicago brace for their coldest temperatures, predicted to dip to around minus 15°F and 1°F, respectively, by early Sunday morning. The Arctic air mass will continue spreading southward, impacting even the southern states by Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued cold weather advisories reaching Montgomery, Alabama, where temperatures are expected to plummet to around 22°F. Savannah, Georgia, is also anticipating lows around 24°F.

Pain Continues in the Pacific Northwest

As the country freezes, residents in the Pacific Northwest continue to suffer from flooding aftermath. An unusually intense atmospheric river caused significant rainfall, resulting in swollen rivers and widespread evacuations.

Authorities warn that while floodwaters are gradually receding, dangers from levee failures and mudslides persist. Moreover, additional rain is forecast for Sunday, threatening to exacerbate the situation. Emergency crews are active, conducting rescues as debris and mudslides have blocked highways, washing out roads and bridges.