Arctic blast from polar vortex to send temperatures plunging across the U.S. Here’s how cold it will get. WSOC TV [Video]

An arctic blast will send temperatures across the United States plummeting as bitterly cold air that originated in Siberia will arrive from Canada by week’s end, bringing with it dangerously cold wind chills for millions of Americans.

The Rockies, Northern Plains and Upper Midwest may see minimum wind chills of minus 30 degrees or lower through Tuesday, the National Weather Service said, while subzero wind chill readings are likely for the southern Plains and Ohio Valley.

“This poses a great risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin,” the weather service warned. “Have a cold weather survival kit if traveling.”

When will the cold air arrive?

Driven by the jet stream, part of the polar vortex — a large area of cold air that spins over the North Pole in the winter — will drop about 3,000 miles south into the U.S., delivering the blast of brutally cold temperatures.

“Arctic air plunges across the Rockies and Great …