Record cold air mass

As one winter storm makes its way east, a very cold arctic blast will bring record-cold temperatures as far south as Brownsville, Texas.

The TemperatureRadar will be watched closely over the next several days as Arctic air pours into the U.S., dropping temperatures 30 degrees below normal. Many with spring break plans this week and weekend will need to check the forecast before packing as your swimsuits won't cut it with highs in the 40s and low 50s along the Gulf Coast.

This isn't your typical cold snap. Extreme cold warnings stretch from the Dakotas to central Texas, and wind chill warnings make it even farther south. Additionally, our 90-minute weather feature shows the temperatures dropping 5 degrees in Bismarck within an hour and a half Tuesday afternoon. The cold pouring into the central U.S. is life-threatening and safety precautions should be taken seriously.

The TemperatureRadar and the feels-like temperature are the best tools to use when monitoring cold weather. The northern tier, especially in North Dakota, will have wind chills as cold as minus-60, which can cause frostbite within minutes on exposed skin.

Looking for warmer news? The long-term forecast guidance is showing an above-average temperature trend for February's last week. For now, monitor the TemperatureRadar and have a winter emergency kit stocked in your vehicle should you need to be out.