The air feels different tonight. Honestly, if you stepped outside today across the United States, you probably felt that weird, biting edge that only comes with an Arctic front. We’ve been tracking this setup all day, and for anyone asking what the weather is tonight, the short answer is: it’s getting bone-chillingly cold, and it’s happening fast.
Right now, the mercury has already plummeted to a crisp 7°F in some areas. But don't let that single digit fool you. With the wind coming out of the west at about 4 mph, the "feels like" temperature has already bottomed out at -1°F. That is the kind of cold that finds the gaps in your scarf.
The Big Chill: Breaking Down the Numbers
Forget those mild winters we sometimes get. Tonight is a clear, brutal reminder of what January in the U.S. can actually do. While the day saw a high of 32°F, that feels like a distant memory now.
✨ Don't miss: Why Every Tornado Warning MN Now Live Alert Demands Your Immediate Attention
We are looking at a low of 8°F tonight. The humidity is sitting at 60%, which basically means the air is damp enough to make the cold feel heavy. It’s not just "chilly"—it’s that deep, intrusive cold that settles into your bones.
Tonight's Specifics at a Glance
- Current Temp: 7°F
- Wind Chill: -1°F
- Conditions: Clear skies
- Precipitation: 5% chance of snow
- Wind Speed: 12 mph (daily max)
What Most People Get Wrong About Clear Skies
A lot of people think that a clear night means "good" weather. Kinda, but not really in the winter. See, when there are no clouds, we lose what meteorologists call the "blanket effect." All the heat the ground soaked up during those few hours of 32°F sunshine today is escaping straight into space.
🔗 Read more: Brian Walshe Trial Date: What Really Happened with the Verdict
Basically, the sky is an open window tonight. That 5% chance of snow is negligible, but the drop in temperature is the real story. In places like Chicago, the Office of Emergency Management has already warned that wind chills could dip even lower as we head toward Monday morning. It’s a setup for black ice, especially in areas like Georgia and South Carolina that saw rain or light snow earlier today.
Is Snow Still on the Table?
Technically, the United States forecast shows a very slim 5% chance of snow tonight. You might see a stray flake or two dancing in the streetlight, but nothing that’s going to require a shovel. The real snow story was earlier in the day when places like New York City and the Finger Lakes saw their first real accumulations of 2026.
💡 You might also like: How Old is CHRR? What People Get Wrong About the Ohio State Research Giant
If you're in those regions, the concern tonight isn't new snow—it's the refreeze. Anything that melted this afternoon is currently turning into a sheet of glass. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has already issued warnings about this "refreeze" concern because when temperatures hit the 20s (or in our case, the 8°F range), black ice becomes a literal invisible threat.
Real-World Impact: Why You Should Care
If you've got pets, bring them in. Seriously. At -1°F wind chill, paw pads can freeze and hypothermia sets in faster than you'd think. Also, check your pipes. This isn't a "maybe" situation; it's a "drip your faucets" kind of night.
Experts from the NOAA Weather Prediction Center are calling this an "amplified trough," which is just a fancy way of saying the cold air is digging deep and staying for a bit. We are seeing these conditions stretch from the Plains all the way to the East Coast. Even Florida is getting hit with Freeze Warnings for the morning.
Essential Steps for the Next 12 Hours
- Drip the Faucets: If your pipes are on an exterior wall, let them run just a tiny bit.
- Layer Up: If you have to go out, three layers is the minimum.
- Vehicle Check: Cold like this kills batteries. If yours is older than three years, give it a start tonight just to be sure.
- Pet Safety: If it's too cold for you, it's definitely too cold for them.
The transition from the 32°F high to an 8°F low is a massive swing. It’s the kind of weather that catches people off guard because "clear" looks safe. It isn't. Stay warm, keep the heat on, and maybe grab an extra blanket. Tomorrow morning is going to be a very frosty start to the work week.