2018 Makes Frigid Appearance Across Lower 48

“Baby, it’s cold outside” seems to be the understatement of the year, considering the frigid temperatures that have blanketed the lower 48 over the last week.

Shattering record lows unprecedented for this region and highs below freezing have left locals searching for ways to stay warm. New Years Day began with over 14,000 AEC customers without power in the eastern part of the county due to overloaded circuits, with a continuing request to lower unnecessary power consumption. Schools that were scheduled to return from Christmas Break on Thursday were canceled due to the extreme cold temperatures.

Although it’s been overwhelmingly cold, East Tennesseans have dodged a bullet, per-se. Charleston, SC received 5.5 inches of snow, and areas as far south as Orlando have reported accumulating snow showers.

Now folks to the northeast of our region are being inundated by a bomb cyclone, which is a system that has an extreme drop in barometric pressure. This storm system is expected to pack a powerful punch, with hurricane force winds and blizzard like conditions by the time it reaches New England.

There seems to be nowhere to escape from the cold, even the beaches are getting snow.

There is hope though. Forecasters say that the temperatures should start to rebound by early next week. Highs should be in the lower 40’s by Sunday, and highs can even be in the 50’s by Wednesday.

In the meantime, though, the frigid temperatures continue, as Old Man Winter reminds us that we are just two weeks in to winter 2018.