CHICAGO — Snow, ice and rain fell Saturday in the Midwest and eastern parts of the U.S., a prelude to the Arctic temperatures due to settle in early next week.

The mix of precipitation affected a swath from the Oklahoma Panhandle – where several inches of snow were in the forecast – to southern New England, where up to a quarter-inch of ice is possible in the eastern Berkshires.

A mix of rain and ice factored into numerous accidents in Michigan and Ohio and threatened an outdoor hockey game in Toledo.

Parts of the southern U.S. saw heavy rain, leading the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch through late Saturday afternoon for parts of Arkansas.

Meanwhile, a blizzard warning was issued for northern North Dakota and Minnesota. Winds between 30 to 40 mph blew snow that fell overnight in the Red River Valley, weather service meteorologist Tom Grafenauer said.

The area will be the first to feel the effects of a strong cold front, he said, with temperatures reaching 20-below and wind chills approaching minus 50 by Sunday morning.

By Tuesday, parts of the Midwest will see below-zero temperatures, while lows will reach single-digits along the East Coast.

The chilly weather is expected to move as far south as New Orleans.

Meteorologist Ryan Maue of the private Weather Bell Analytics has called it “old-timer’s type of cold.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.