Deep freeze, plus winter storms take shape

A deep freeze continues in the Midwest while a couple of new winter storms take shape, bringing rain, snow and thunderstorms. The daily briefing is available every weekday at 5 a.m. ET .

Residents of the southern Plains and Deep South will have their eyes on the WeatherRadar today as a new storm system forms. Gulf Coast and Deep South rain and thunderstorms will stretch from Texas to Florida throughout the day, while the colder, northern flank of the storm brings snow from New Mexico to Oklahoma and eastward to West Tennessee by late tonight.

This storm system will continue east and Northeast, bringing wet, icy and snowy weather to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic by Friday. Keep watch on the WeatherRadar.

A new storm is moving into the Pacific Northwest now, with heavy rain and mountain snow. Its movement toward the southeast will bring plentiful Rocky Mountain and northern Plains snow, reaching the central Rockies, Dakotas and Upper Midwest late tonight.

A cold front sweeping through the Northeast will have flakes flying from the Ohio Valley to Maine. Keep a close eye on the WeatherRadar for commute issues.

Very cold air, typical for January and February, is sending the Midwest into a deep freeze with record lows and highs to boot (snow boot, that is). The Arctic blast will have highs only making it into the single digits or teens across the Midwest. Sub-freezing highs are expected as far south as Oklahoma City.

Upper 30s and 40s will spread from Dallas to Boston as well as across the Pacific Northwest into the Mountain West. Warmer 50s and 60s will be found in California, the Southwest, southern Texas and the Southeast. Florida wins the warmth award with highs in the comfortable 70s and low 80s.

Ski and snowboarding season is in full swing! Learn more about the resorts near you, including their forecast, snow depth and more on our Ski & Mountain feature.