The third winter storm to hit the central and eastern United States in a week is finally tapering off, but its aftermath is causing a new set of hazards. Bone-chilling wind chills as low as minus-45 are sweeping south, bringing dangerous cold to the Great Lakes and Plains. The cold air will fuel lake-effect snow in Buffalo, potentially accumulating 1 to 3 feet of snow.

Strong winds are also blowing south from Canada, which may cause disruptions at major airports and exacerbate travel issues. The frigid temperatures are expected to persist at least until the middle of next week before gradually subsiding.

Furthermore, there are indications that another storm system might develop along the East Coast by Tuesday.

Official reports indicate that Geneseo, Ill., near Davenport, received one of the highest snowfall amounts from the recent storm, measuring 17.4 inches. The maximum snow totals, exceeding 2 feet, were recorded in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where lake-effect snow enhanced the accumulations. Champion, Mich., saw a staggering 26 inches of snow.

In other areas affected by the storm, the heaviest snowfalls occurred north of a line stretching from Chicago to Detroit. Chicago experienced thundersnow and received around 5 inches of snow along the Lakeshore downtown. Meanwhile, Rockford recorded approximately 13 inches. Detroit had 3 to 4 inches of snow, while Ortonville, Mich., just north of Detroit, received 8.5 inches.

Blizzard conditions were observed across the Corn Belt, with Des Moines experiencing gusts of up to 45 mph and Chicago gusting to 46 mph. The northern Plains also saw gusts reaching around 40 to 50 mph.

As the storm moves away, temperatures are plummeting. Frigid Arctic air is being pulled down from Canada due to the storm's counterclockwise circulation. These exceptionally cold temperatures, up to 30 degrees below average at times, combined with strong winds, are leading to dangerously low wind chills. Frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes in certain areas.

Wind chill warnings have been issued in 16 states, extending southward to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Dallas is expected to see temperatures drop to 11 degrees on Monday night, with wind chills as low as 7 degrees.

Kansas City will have three consecutive nights with temperatures colder than minus-5 degrees, and Saturday night could reach a bone-chilling low of minus-12 degrees. With a strong north wind and gusts up to 30 mph, wind chills in the area could plummet to as low as minus-34.

St. Louis, despite avoiding heavy snowfall, is not escaping the cold. On Saturday night, temperatures are predicted to reach minus-3 degrees, with a high of only 7 degrees on Sunday. The wind chill will make it feel like minus-25. The region can expect a meaningful temperature increase by Wednesday.

Chicago, currently in the process of clearing snow, will struggle to see temperatures rise above zero degrees until Wednesday. Overnight lows may drop to minus-10 degrees by Monday night, with wind chills possibly reaching minus-30.

In the Northern Plains, some areas could see high temperatures in the minus-20s.

Weather models indicate that the cold spell will persist into the middle of the workweek, with temperatures gradually returning to more seasonable levels afterward.

Currently, there is Arctic high pressure situated directly overhead, allowing more cold air to move south from the northwest. However, by Wednesday, the high pressure system will shift south and east, allowing a return of milder southerly winds over the Plains. This will help push out the cold air and bring about some relief from the bitter temperatures.