Extreme Weather Patterns Headed To Midwest, Northeast

January 12, 2009 5:39 p.m. EST

Chicago, IL (AHN) - Large swaths across the United States were warned that bitterly cold air and freezing temps were moving into the area, with the Northern Plains and Midwest facing blizzard conditions and severe snow storms.

Arctic air is slated to dip down from Canada and spread snow into Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota before rolling into the Midwest, South and Northeast by the end of the week. The newest freezing rain and snow patterns comes on the heels of a system that dumped up to a foot snow on parts of the Northeast including areas of New Hampshire and Connecticut.

Transportation officials and emergency crews are warning residents across the Midwest and Northeast about extremely dangerous road conditions, with slick, icy streets and limited visibility.

In the Northwest, flood alerts remained in effect, with heavy rain and melting snow causing three rivers in Washington state to flood and damaging property across the affected areas.