The Iowa caucuses, scheduled for Monday, are set to take place amidst a dangerous and record-breaking cold front. The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures are unlikely to surpass 0 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill expected to plummet as low as -45 F during Monday night. This Arctic blast has raised concerns among Republican presidential candidates, who worry that the frigid conditions will discourage voter turnout.

Officials have issued warnings about the severe cold, stating that frostbite can occur within just 10 minutes of outdoor exposure. Given that Iowans will be lining up at their local caucus sites, some potentially waiting outside for extended periods, the lack of proper winter clothing could prove dangerous. Matt Sitkowski, science editor-in-chief at The Weather Channel, emphasized the risk, stating that outdoor exposure without appropriate winter gear could be hazardous.

The extreme cold weather began on Friday afternoon, as Iowa was hit by a blizzard, bringing along low temperatures and whiteout conditions that led most campaigns to cancel their events across the Hawkeye state. The brutal weather forced former President Donald Trump to cancel two commit-to-caucus events on Saturday due to concerns over frostbite and the frigid temperatures.

Interestingly, Trump has expressed optimism that the inclement weather might work in his favor, as he believes the frosty conditions could hamper the support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on caucus night. Trump shared with his supporters during a campaign event last Saturday in Clinton that his team suggested the low temperatures could be advantageous for his turnout. He cited the enthusiasm and commitment of his supporters, stating, "We won't lose one vote, because our people, they use the term, 'walk on glass.' They're not going to stay away. They're going to 'walk on glass.'"

Despite the harsh weather conditions, DeSantis continued his campaign efforts over the weekend. On Friday, he made three campaign stops around the Des Moines area, including a visit to a "get out the vote" field office and an event for supporters and out-of-state volunteers. However, four other events hosted by his super PAC, "Never Back Down," were postponed due to the blizzard.

Similar to Trump, DeSantis remains confident that his dedicated voter base in Iowa will brave the historic cold and turn out to support him. He highlighted the grassroots organization efforts led by his super PAC, which includes precinct captains tasked with ensuring that supporters make it to their caucus locations. Describing the rallying effort, DeSantis mentioned, "There's a machinery that goes with a caucus, no matter what, but especially now with what the weather is going to be like, we have that infrastructure there."

Despite the determination shown by the campaign volunteers, DeSantis anticipates lower turnout compared to the 2016 GOP caucuses, which saw approximately 187,000 Iowa Republicans participating when the temperature was a milder 36 degrees. He estimates a turnout of around 130,000 to 140,000 people this year, acknowledging the weather as a "major wildcard" that could affect the final number.

Meanwhile, Nikki Haley canceled her campaign events on Friday due to the blizzard but urged her supporters during a telephone town hall to prepare for the extreme cold. Emphasizing the importance of voting and the challenges presented by the weather, Haley stated, "I know it's asking a lot of you to go out and caucus, but I also know we have a country to save, and I will be out there in the cold. Please wear layers of clothes, just in case there are lines so that you are staying safe."

Chris LaCavita, a senior adviser for the Trump campaign, expressed confidence in their preparedness for inclement weather, noting that their operation is run by experienced Iowans. The campaign has contingencies in place, including old-school poll workers and transportation services to ensure that voters reach the polls. LaCavita dismissed concerns about weather impacting turnout, stating, "wear a coat."

As the Iowa caucuses approach amidst subzero temperatures, the extreme cold weather poses a significant challenge to candidates and voters alike. The candidates are relying on the resilience and dedication of their supporters to brave the frigid conditions and make their voices heard in this critical stage of the presidential race.