What has been called a “generational weather event” by the National Weather Service is covering more than two thirds of the country, with extreme cold watches and advisories blanketing the map from Maine and Louisianna to…well, what do you know?  A map shows the western reach of the weather system is a few counties in Montana and most of Southeast Idaho.  Lucky us.  Of course, if you live here that should come as no surprise.  

Residents woke to below zero temperatures in many towns across the area on Monday, with the coldest local temperatures being observed in parts of Caribou and Bear Lake Counties.  Early morning temperatures in the double digits below zero (down to as much as -15) were reported in Bancroft and Grace at the beginning of the week, leading to district wide school closures.  School closures were also in effect in Fremont County, Blackfoot, and other areas.  The wind chill in many locations brought to temperatures down to even more severe numbers, with -24 being reported at the Conda Junction on Monday.

“Milder” temperatures were seen along the I-15 corridor, with Malad, Pocatello, and Lava Hot Springs reporting temperatures just below zero in the same time frame, and Downey reporting a balmy 1 degree positive to start the day.

The frigid landscape is shocking no matter how accustomed to the cold you are, but a look at the event map shows just how widespread it is.  While Florida has escaped the brunt of it (other than the panhandle), Texas and the other Gulf Coast states have not.  Neither has the South nor the Southwest.  Snow and ice are in force in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and New Mexico, in addition to the entire eastern seaboard and the Midwest.  Latest estimates suggest that 220 million people are affected by bitterly cold air and record lows.  

While Idaho residents are used to extreme cold at times during the winter (complaining about it is, after all, a local sport), these temps do represent a more significant threat to health and safety than the run of the mill frozen car seats.  

The normal cold temperature precautions to facilities and homes apply—leave faucets dripping to prevent freezing, check batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, carefully monitor indoor space heaters, and avoid using cookstoves for heat if possible.  Make sure pets are accounted for and not left outside in the extreme temperatures.  Make sure that children are adequately dressed before sending them outside, and monitor them for any signs of distress.  Make sure that cars are equipped with standard emergency supplies, including blankets and charging bricks for communication devices in case a vehicle becomes disabled.

Exposure to temperatures near the zero mark, especially when combined with wind, can lead to hypothermia within minutes.  This effect is exacerbated by medical conditions such as lung and heart issues, circulation problems, and general poor health.  Residents are advised to stay out of the cold and wind as much as possible, and to remain as warm as possible.  Heating assistance is offered through most cities in the area, and can be checked by calling the relevant city offices.

Temperatures are predicted to moderate somewhat as the week progresses, with daily highs inching into the twenties in many locations, though night time lows will continue to be frigid.  On the one hand, it certainly could be worse—just ask North Dakotans who saw -55 on Monday.  On the other hand, that doesn’t really help move the mercury as much as you’d think.