The Midwest is being hit with the first arctic blast of the new year with subzero temperatures expected to last well into the week, meteorologists say.

Chicago and the surrounding areas in the Midwest are expected to see negative 30 degree temps on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the heat isn’t expected to be turned up until at least Saturday when the area might see a high of 30 degrees.

On top of the freezing temperatures, Chicago is also expecting off and on snowfall at least until Wednesday.

The city was already hit by several inches of snow on Sunday and Monday, and while snow isn’t expected to get too deep, perhaps another five inches may fall. As usual, of course, lake effect snow will pile up deeper toward the south and east of the city under Lake Michigan.

A wintry mix of freezing rain slammed Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania causing numerous road accidents, and Mississippi and Louisiana found tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Arkansas was also placed under flash flood warnings.

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