Columbus, OH – An Arctic blast is sweeping through the Midwest this week, delivering a deep chill that will stretch into the southern United States. Thanksgiving plans across the region could be disrupted as temperatures plunge well below seasonal norms, with wind chills expected to reach the teens in many areas.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the cold front will bring daily highs that are 10 to 20 degrees below average, starting Wednesday and persisting into the weekend. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and neighboring states will bear the brunt of this frigid air mass, with morning wind chills dipping into the teens on Thanksgiving morning. In some southern areas, like Kentucky and Tennessee, temperatures are expected to flirt with the freezing mark—an unusual occurrence for late November.
Thanksgiving Day will feel particularly harsh. Ohio is forecasted to see lows near 20°F, with wind chills as low as 10°F in the morning. Indiana and Illinois residents will experience similar conditions, while those in Kentucky and Tennessee could see frosty roads, especially in rural areas. Despite the biting cold, no significant snowfall is expected, though icy patches could develop on bridges and overpasses.
The extended forecast offers little immediate relief. Friday will remain cold, with highs in the mid-30s to low 40s across much of the Midwest. The weekend may bring slightly warmer conditions, with highs climbing into the low 40s in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, though wind chills will still make it feel colder.
