Arctic Chill Hits U.S. Amid Catastrophic Flooding in the Northwest

Sun Dec 14 2025 05:49:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As cold Arctic air sweeps down across the U.S., the Pacific Northwest grapples with severe flooding, forcing evacuations and prompting rescue efforts.

An influx of Arctic air from Canada is bringing extreme cold to the northern U.S., with cities like Minneapolis and Chicago facing dangerously low temperatures. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest is still dealing with the fallout from catastrophic flooding, evacuating thousands and heightening fears of mudslides and levee failures. Residents like Eddie Wicks are realizing just how quickly conditions can change, as they navigate evacuations amid rising floodwaters.

A blast of arctic air is plunging south from Canada, causing icy conditions across parts of the northern U.S. Big cities like Chicago and Minneapolis are bracing for dangerously low temperatures. On Saturday, a reading of minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in Grand Forks, North Dakota, creating a wind chill that felt like minus 33 F. As winter weather spreads, advisories have reached as far south as Montgomery, Alabama, where temperatures are set to drop significantly.

In contrast, the Pacific Northwest faces a different challenge. Intense flooding from an atmospheric river has forced thousands to evacuate, with dramatic rescue efforts underway. Residents like Eddie Wicks and his family have had to move to higher ground to escape rising waters, while authorities warn of the ongoing risk of mudslides and levee failures as floodwaters are expected to slowly recede. The combination of cold and flooding illustrates the dramatic climate extremes affecting different regions of the U.S. right now.