The explosion in the Arctic covers large parts of the USA with temperatures below freezing

Millions of Americans should prepare for an explosion in the Arctic that will blanket much of the country in subfreezing temperatures in the next few days.

Forecasts show cold conditions are expected across much of the contiguous U.S. following a powerful cold front moving across the East Coast on Wednesday.

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Once the rain and wind eases, frigid conditions will extend from the Upper Midwest east and south – into Texas and Florida.

Cold air flowing over the Great Lakes while they are still ice-free is expected to trigger a lake-effect snow event.

MORE: Why ice hasn’t formed in the Great Lakes this winter season

The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow warning for portions of northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York, where 2 to 3 feet of snow is locally possible, according to forecasts.

A winter storm warning has also been issued for parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, where locally 1 foot to 2 feet of lake-shaped snow is possible.

Cool temperatures set in early in the Upper Midwest. On Wednesday morning, wind chills dropped as low as -38 degrees across eastern North Dakota.

The Arctic air mass then moves east and south, bringing the coldest air of the season from Texas to New York. A freeze warning was even issued for parts of northern Florida, including Gainesville.

MORE: Why cold air outbreaks still happen despite global warming

Freezing temperatures are expected to continue into Friday and Saturday morning in some regions, including Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City and Atlanta.

The cold will ease this weekend, first in the center of the country and then reaching the east coast on Sunday and Monday.

MORE: Will Texas’ power grid survive the next freeze?

Much of the country will experience above-average temperatures next week, according to the latest forecast from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Arctic blast blanketing much of US in subfreezing temperatures originally appeared on abcnews.go.com