Record-Breaking Cold Weather Forces Freeze Warning For 46 Million Americans

A taste of winter might be just around the corner, as large swaths of the U.S. look set to experience record-breaking cold temperatures in the coming days.

The National Weather Service's (NWS) Weather Prediction Center on Tuesday issued a chilly forecast for the remainder of the week on Tuesday, reporting that "a cold continental airmass" has begun moving east across the U.S. and will continue through Wednesday. As a result, upwards of 46 million Americans are likely to experience lows that will either match or surpass seasonal records.

"Widespread record breaking cold to induce first freeze of the season from the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley to the Central/Southern Appalachians and Southeast," the service's report began.

Starting on Tuesday, this cold blast is expected to bring unseasonably cold temperatures to the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast regions of the U.S. Continuing through Wednesday; similarly chilly conditions are forecast for the Central/Southern Appalachians and Florida. The NWS predicted that these regions could see temperatures 15-30 degrees colder than average as a result.

A broad swath of the country is also expected to receive its first freeze or frost of the year over the next few days. Because of this, the NWS advises individuals to be mindful and to take precautions with crops and livestock.

"Freeze warnings, watches, and frost advisories are currently in effect from eastern Colorado to the Appalachians," the NWS's report stated.

Estimates for the number of Americans set to be impacted by this cold blast vary, with Axios reporting an estimate of 46 million, and NBC News estimating 60 million. However many people are affected, the NWS predicts that the cold temperatures should subside by the end of the week, returning to more seasonable fall weather.

NBC News reported that roughly 50 cities in the U.S. could experience record-low daily temperatures by the end of the week. The outlet cited a handful of examples, including forecasted lows of 24 degrees in Minneapolis, 27 in St. Louis, and 57 in Raleigh.

Contrary to the record lows set to chill the Central and Eastern U.S., parts of the western seaboard and Canada are currently experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, according to Axios. On Sunday, Seattle reported a high of 88 degrees, breaking the record for the highest temperature so late into the year. These highs have been attributed to wildfires still ravaging parts of the West, which have also been spilling smoke into places like Seattle.

Just as the cold temperatures are expected to subside by the weekend, the West Coast is expected to see a reprieve from the heat by then as well, with an influx of colder and wetter weather.

Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service for comment.