This January, record-breaking cold fronts and winter storms have occurred across the U.S., leading to power outages, many states issuing states of emergency and deaths. More cold is also expected in the week ahead, with an estimated 75% of the population to experience below-freezing temperatures. 

“We call it ‘life-threatening’ for a reason,” a local Missouri branch of the National Weather Service wrote on X. “Take it seriously. This kind of cold does not happen very often.”

Des Moines, Iowa, is expecting its snowiest week since 1942. States of emergency were declared in Arkansas and Louisiana due to the expected snow flurries, or fast winds blowing up fallen snow. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves also issued a state of emergency due to the impending cold weather. 

“All Mississippians in the impacted areas are encouraged to take precautions over the next few days,” Reeves said in a media release. “Prepare your homes now for below-freezing temperatures, bring pets inside, and check in with your loved ones who are most susceptible during this frigid weather.”

The cold front also brought the first snowfall of the year to Texas, where a hard freeze warning was enacted today. Temperatures below average for January occurred in almost every state, and around 45 million people were under winter storm alerts on Sunday.

“The prolonged nature of this event could result in moderate to major potential winter storm impacts over parts of Arkansas, northwest Mississippi and western Tennessee,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

Low temperatures and storms have resulted in strained electricity grids, especially in Texas and other areas unused to below-freezing temperatures. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which manages 90% of the state’s electric grid, warned consumers to be cautious Monday and Tuesday morning in a Sunday news release. 

“Due to continued freezing temperatures, very high demand, and unseasonably low wind, operating reserves are expected to be low during the morning hours of Monday, January 15, prior to the solar ramp-up,” the release said. “As a result, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so.”

Storms and high winds have also knocked out power lines, with over 550,000 homes out of power on Saturday alone. Later in the week in the northwest, strong winds knocked over power lines, causing fires and outages. Two deaths were reported in Portland from these gusts, with one RV catching on fire and a tree falling through a house. 

“Today, we have had at least around 20 different trees fall onto homes, which is very rare,” Gert Zoutendijk, a Fire Marshal at Lake Oswego Fire Department, said in a media release about the deaths. “I have never seen this many in my 25-year career here at Lake Oswego Fire.” 

At least 21 weather-related deaths have been reported in other areas of the country since Jan. 12. Looking forward, snowfall is expected to continue in much of the northern U.S. this week. Temperatures are expected to rise between Jan. 24-30.