Temperatures are projected to remain frigid in Hampton Roads, with highs only reaching the 20s on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

A blast of Arctic air is set to cover much of the United States with temperatures below freezing starting on Friday and into next week, impacting millions of Americans in nearly all of the contiguous states.

According to the National Weather Service, a polar vortex will impact most of the country this weekend, here is what you need to know.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Looking ahead to next week, a major arctic blast is expected to settle into Hampton Roads and Mid-Atlantic. The region will likely deal with the coldest weather so far this winter season.

A dangerous and potentially life-threatening stretch of cold weather has much of the U.S. on alert as a lobe of the polar vortex invades the nation and sends temperatures tumbling to levels not seen in years.