Arctic Air and Flooding: A Dual Crisis Hits the United States

Sun Dec 14 2025 01:25:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As arctic air plunges southwards, the Pacific Northwest grapples with devastating flooding, leading to evacuations and potential mudslide dangers.

A severe weather crisis unfolds across the United States as an Arctic air mass spreads from Canada, imposing dangerously low temperatures in the northern states. Simultaneously, the Pacific Northwest faces catastrophic flooding, forcing thousands to evacuate and leaving residents vulnerable to mudslides and levee failures. Authorities continue to conduct water rescues while monitoring high water levels and the potential for more rain.

A blast of arctic air is plunging south from Canada, spreading its icy grip into parts of the northern U.S., while the Pacific Northwest braces for enduring effects of catastrophic flooding.

This flooding has mandated the evacuation of thousands, impacting lives in communities like those surrounding the Snoqualmie River. Among them, Eddie Wicks and his wife were forced to relocate their livestock as encroaching floodwaters overtook their farm.

Rescue teams were able to safely evacuate the Wicks family and their pets as local authorities worked tirelessly to reach those trapped amidst rapidly rising waters.

Arctic Cold Grips Major Cities

As the recovery efforts unfold in the Pacific Northwest, a distinct weather front is ushering in dangerously low wind chill factors across the Upper Midwest. Reports from Grand Forks, North Dakota, indicated temperatures plummeted to minus 12°F (minus 24°C), creating a wind chill effect of minus 33°F.

Increasing concerns arise as the cold air mass extends towards urban areas like Chicago and Minneapolis, with forecasts predicting lows around minus 15°F (minus 26°C) in Minneapolis and 1°F (minus 17°C) in Chicago.

Flooding Threatens the Northwest

As the Arctic air settles, Pacific Northwest residents continue to face challenges due to unprecedented flooding. An atmospheric river brought over 30 centimeters of rain, swelling rivers beyond capacity and risking levee breaches and mudslides. In the face of these disasters, emergency services remain vigilant as they monitor water levels and potential additional rainfall.

Though floodwaters are receding, authorities warn of enduring risks from debris flows, obstructed roads, and the possibility of further evacuations if conditions worsen.