As the polar vortex begins to retreat, the region will see a gradual return to typical winter conditions. Long-range forecasts suggest the coldest air will move out by mid- to late-January, according to the Climate Prediction Center at NOAA.

Temperatures plunged into the teens and single digits in some spots, and the snow-dusted winds are driving the wind chill below zero. The polar vortex, a swirling mass of Arctic air typically contained over the North Pole, has pushed south, driving bone-chilling temperatures into the eastern United States.

Snow and winds are likely to disrupt traffic, trigger flight cancellations, and cause headaches for people traveling to D.C. for Inauguration Day. Baby, it’s cold outside, and it’s about to get even colder for much of the United States.

Most of the U.S. will enjoy milder temperatures on Thursday, but the warmup will be brief as a polar vortex will send temperatures tumbling below freezing for most of the nation starting this weekend.

A Siberian chill is on the horizon, threatening to plunge the U.S. into a deep freeze in parts of the east coast