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Arctic Blast Drops Polar Ice Bomb on Upper Midwest

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Winter is officially more than a month away but a monstrous storm is already blasting much of the country.

The upper Midwest is getting its first touch of icy air and temperatures are plummeting fast. And it's not just frigid air: the arctic system is dumping heavy snow in some places.

The blast of wintry weather swept across the upper midwest Monday, bringing heavy snow in some areas and plunging temperatures across the region. In Denver, tempatures plunged 20 degrees in just 30 minutes.

It's a recipe that's creating widespread chaos for drivers.

"I've been sitting here for about two hours and I got 15 trucks behind me," truck driver Chris Ankrum said.

In Duluth, Minnesota, icy roads caused a 16-car pileup. Minneapolis got more than 15 inches of snow Monday, with more on the way.

The frigid weather is being pushed in by a powerful storm that hit Alaska with hurricane-force winds over the weekend. Now it is threatening to bury several states in snow and send temperatures as much as 40 degrees below average.

In Billings, Montana, 53 was the high on Sunday. On Monday it barely hit 20 and a low of only 8 degrees is expected today.

The Polar cold is bringing lows in the teens and single digits into Iowa, Kansas, and Colorado this week. Freezing temperatures are forecast as far south as Texas.

While most want to put off winter for a few more weeks, some are welcoming it with open arms.

"I thought it was really cool cause I haven't seen snow in a really long time," Elk River, Minnesota, resident Lexi Patraw said.

Forecasters say things will get warmer over the weekend, but it won't stay that way. Another arctic blast is on the way for next week.

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About The Author

Charlene Aaron
Charlene
Aaron

Charlene Aaron serves as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, co-host of The 700 Club, co-host of 700 Club Interactive, and co-host of The Prayerlink on the CBN News Channel. She covers various social issues, such as abortion, gender identity, race relations, and more. Before joining CBN News in 2003, she was a personal letter writer for Dr. Pat Robertson. Charlene attended Old Dominion University and Elizabeth City State University. She is an ordained minister and pastor’s wife. She lives in Smithfield, VA, with her husband.