Much of the U.S. will see temperatures plummet 20 to 40 degrees below average when a major Arctic outbreak bringing frigid temperatures sweeps through the country.

A potent shot of Arctic air starts settling in Monday as a massive dip in the jet stream pulls in frigid air across the entire eastern half of the country. Temperatures are set to drop as low as 20 degrees below average Tuesday and Wednesday with highs only reaching the teens, with lows in the single digits and even plunging below zero.

An arctic blast is set to bring temperatures as low as double digits below zero across Vermont. Meteorologists tell us how to prepare.

An arctic blast is set to bring wind chill temperatures as low as single digits below zero in Massachusetts. Meteorologists tell us how to prepare.

The past couple of days have been unusually mild. It was nice, but I hope you didn’t get used to it. We are counting down the minutes until a strong arctic cold front arrives. This will cause brutally cold air to spill into the region Friday night into Saturday morning.

Phil Badgett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh, told The News & Observer in a phone call. Breezy winds on the forecast Tuesday night and Wednesday morning will make it feel colder than the actual temperature,