Winter is making itself known across most of the United States, impacting travel, schools and even potentially a presidential caucus.
Several parts of the country are bracing for the worst. with more than 15 million people under wind chill alerts, meaning that frostbite can happen in as little as 10 minutes on exposed skin.
Texas power grid Texas’ power grid has issues when temperatures swing too far to either extreme. Morning lows expected in Texas on Tuesday are between 7 degrees in the western part of the state and 20 in the eastern part, CNN reported. This week, ERCOT already issued a weather watch for Monday, but said there should be enough power to prevent an outage.
In 2021, more than 200 people died when ERCOT had to prevent a collapse of the power grid through rolling power outages. Most of the deaths were due to hypothermia.
But it will be even colder in the north, with the highs expected to be in the single digits and 10s from Montana to North Dakota and further east.
Iowa caucus In Iowa, the cold weather is expected to set a political record as being the coldest caucus in the state’s history of the election practice that started in 1972.
Monday is expected to be Iowa’s coldest January day in five years, with wind chills as low as negative 40. In Des Moines, the average temperature will be negative 9.5 degrees. 20 degrees colder than the previous record holder for a caucus set in 2004, CNN reported.
The cold has already impacted the campaign there, with several events being called off or changed.
Nikki Haley canceled three events and instead planned to hold “telephone town halls.” Ron DeSantis postponed events in two towns, The Associated Press reported.
Travel impacted Hundreds of flights were already canceled in Chicago as the storm was predicted to dump heavy snow in the region, Fox reported.
There have been more than 3,000 flight delays in the U.S., with nearly 2,000 flight cancelations, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware . The most flights were canceled at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, with 407 departing flights canceled by Friday afternoon. The airport had another 384 incoming flights canceled.
Tornado warnings The weather systems had several areas in Mississippi and Arkansas under tornado warnings on Friday, according to the National Weather Service . Parts of Florida already experienced a tornado earlier this week, leaving destruction behind.
[ Tornado slams Florida Panhandle, leaves path of destruction ]
NFL affected The winter weather will also affect sports events, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, when temperatures at kickoff are expected to be below zero. The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers will have to contend with about a foot of snow in Buffalo, New York on Sunday.
Winter weather NEW YORK CITY - JANUARY 10: People walk along the beach at Rockaway during heavy surf following a storm that brought high winds and rain to the area on January 10, 2024 in New York City. Much of the East Coast and Southeast of the United States has experienced days of unusually severe storms that have lead to power outages, school closings and localized flooding. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 09: Cars drive along a freeway amidst a snow storm on January 09, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. A weather system is bringing the first winter snowfall to central Iowa as voters prepare for the Republican Party of Iowa's presidential caucuses on January 15th. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 12: A car is buried by blowing snow along the Interstate 235 John MacVicar Freeway as winter storm Gerri dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates postponed or cancelled many campaign events in Iowa days before the all-important caucuses, the first primary competition of the 2024 election year. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Winter weather SIOUX CITY, IOWA - JANUARY 12: A person walks down 4th street as heavy snow continues to fall on January 12, 2024 in Sioux City, Iowa. The second winter weather system in a week is bringing blizzard conditions across Iowa as voters prepare for the Republican Party of Iowa's presidential caucuses on January 15th. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Winter weather NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 09: Migrants leave their tents at Floyd Bennett Field to board school buses bound for a local high school in anticipation of a storm with expected wind speeds of more than 70 mph on January 09, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Amid the arrival of winter weather, many migrant families are being forced to re-apply for shelter after reaching the 60-day limit for city housing. More than 4,000 families have been served notice on a rolling basis that they will need to re-apply without guarantee of receiving a place. More than 100,000 migrants have arrived in New York City over the last year. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Winter weather SIOUX CITY, IOWA - JANUARY 12: A front loader drives down a street as heavy snow continues to fall on January 12, 2024 in Sioux City, Iowa. The second winter weather system in a week is bringing blizzard conditions across Iowa as voters prepare for the Republican Party of Iowa's presidential caucuses on January 15th. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 12: Plow trucks work to clear the Interstate 235 John MacVicar Freeway Freeway as winter storm Gerri dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates postponed or cancelled many campaign events in Iowa days before the all-important caucuses, the first primary competition of the 2024 election year. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 09: Judah Lock enjoys sledding near the Iowa State Capitol building on January 09, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. A weather system is bringing the first winter snowfall to central Iowa as voters prepare for the Republican Party of Iowa's presidential caucuses on January 15th. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 12: Leslie Hines shovels snow outside his home as winter storm Gerri dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates postponed or cancelled many campaign events in Iowa days before the all-important caucuses, the first primary competition of the 2024 election year. Hines, a military historian and veterans advocate, said he voted for former President Donald Trump in previous elections but said he will not vote for him again and isn't sure if he will caucus this year. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Winter weather NEW YORK CITY - JANUARY 10: A man uses a metal detector along the beach at Rockaway during heavy surf following a storm that brought high winds and rain to the area on January 10, 2024 in New York City. Much of the East Coast and Southeast of the United States has experienced days of unusually severe storms that have lead to power outages, school closings and localized flooding. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 12: Single tracks move east and west on the Interstate 235 John MacVicar Freeway as winter storm Gerri dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates postponed or cancelled many campaign events in Iowa days before the all-important caucuses, the first primary competition of the 2024 election year. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Winter weather DES MOINES, IOWA - JANUARY 12: Plow trucks work to clear the Interstate 235 John MacVicar Freeway Freeway as winter storm Gerri dumps inches of snow with high winds on January 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates postponed or cancelled many campaign events in Iowa days before the all-important caucuses, the first primary competition of the 2024 election year. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Winter Weather Iowa A sign to alert to an intersection is seen during a blizzard near Adaville, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Illinois A woman cleans the snow off a walkway in front of a house in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Iowa A sign is posted along snow-covered County Road K22 near Merrill, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Illinois A man cleans the snow off a walkway in front of a house in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Illinois Trees are covered by snow in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Iowa A windmill is seen near Merrill, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Winter Weather Illinois A man cleans the snow off a walkway in front of a house in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Winter Weather Iowa Snow blows over Iowa State Highway 3, near Le Mars, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Winter Weather Illinois A man cleans a path from snow at front of a school in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Illinois A man cleans the snow off a walkway in front of a house in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Wisconsin A driver clears snow from his car as a winter storm arrives Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Winter Weather Illinois A commuter stops a car on the snowy road as a car window is covered by snow in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
Winter Weather Illinois A snow plow cleans the road as a winter storm arrives in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
APTOPIX Winter Weather Iowa Snow blows and drifts over County Road K22 near Merrill, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Wisconsin A man clears a sidewalk as a winter storm arrives Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)
Winter Weather Wisconsin A man shovels as a winter storm arrives Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)
Winter Weather Illinois A woman walks with an umbrella during a snowy day in Wheeling, Ill., Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)
Winter Weather Iowa Workers get an early start clearing walkways in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Iowa Graphic designer Emily Brewer shovels out her driveway in order to drive to work in Sioux City, Iowa, early on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Iowa Ron Cook uses a snow blower to clear snow from his driveway in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Iowa Jillian McKee walks her her dog "Bear" as snow falls in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave) (Mark Vancleave)
Winter Weather Iowa Ron Cook uses a snow blower to clear snow from his driveway in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster)
Winter Weather Iowa Graphic designer Emily Brewer shovels out her driveway in order to drive to work in Sioux City, Iowa, early on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)