Arctic Blast Expected to Bring Record Low in US, Bone-Chilling Temperatures Already Killed At Least Four People

An arctic blast is expected to bring snow, ice, and bone-chilling temperatures to millions of people across the United States this week. The dangerous weather on Monday, however, created accidents and travel setbacks in the country.

The weather caused at least four deaths in the Midwest. The deaths, particularly in Kansas and Michigan, were attributed to poor road conditions as the Arctic air surge moved from Midwest to East Coast and Gulf area.

NBC affiliate KSNT reported that an 8-year-old died in a head-on car collision in Kansas City on Monday morning as a driver lost control of his pickup an icy highway and crossed the center line. The station said the truck hit an SUV head-on, injuring three other people.

Officials in Michigan said a two-car crash killed three individuals outside Lansing. The Eaton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement the victims included two women, ages 81 and 64, and a man, 57.

Flight Aware said more than 2,000 incoming and outgoing flights at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago had been delayed or canceled as of Monday night. The average arrival delays were just more than six hours while departing flights were delayed by more than 16 hours.

The Associated Press added a plane trying to land at O'Hare International Airport on Monday morning slid off the runway. The 38 passengers and three crew members aboard an Envoy Air flight from Greensboro in North Carolina were safe.

NBC affiliate KSHB reported snow and ice was already causing havoc on Missouri's road as authorities responded to dozens of crashes and stranded drivers throughout the day. Kansas City's sheriff's office said a K9 deputy in Kansas City assisted a driver who slid off the road. No one got hurt in the incident.

Officials in Dallas reminded the pet owners in the city to take extra care of their dogs and cats as bitter wind chill in Dallas drove temperatures to 20s.

Ed Jamison, director of Dallas Animal Services, reminded the pet owners in a news release "not to be fooled" by the fur coats of their pets. He explained that the thick coats still cannot withstand a deep freeze.

NBC affiliate WLEX reported that university students in Kentucky's Lexington broke out their winter weather gear early to get to class as forecasters were calling for light snow followed by bone-chilling record lows.

Temperatures to drop on Wednesday

National Weather Service said temperatures are expected to drop for the next few days starting Wednesday. "People in the eastern two-thirds of the [United States] will feel like [they] are in the middle of winter [this month]," the forecasters said.

One student told NBC News dreaded the prospect of a 13-degree day on Wednesday. "[The weather] makes me want to stay in bed and not go to class," he said, adding that the situation is not an option to stop him from going to his routine.

Forecasters said another round of snow, sleet, and rainfall was expected across the Pacific Northwest and into the Rockies starting Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service added snow precipitation would likely move into northern Plains on Wednesday.