U.S. in grips of long-lasting cold spellJanuary 4, 2010 2:01 a.m. EST
Tailgaters in Buffalo, New York, bundle up against the snow and the chill Sunday.
For much of the nation, cold blast will continue all week long
In Minneapolis, the wind chill was -17 degrees early Monday
Even normally mild Florida feeling sting of this cold wave
Storm off New England coast dumping large amounts of snow
(CNN) -- Dangerously cold weather had much of the United States in its grip early Monday morning, with no relief in sight for the rest of the week.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the temperature was -3 degrees as Monday began, and with the wind chill, it felt like -17 degrees, according to CNN affiliate KARE. By Thursday, the high is forecast to be only 4 degrees.
While the upper Midwest is accustomed to frigid weather, freezing temperatures can come as a shock in Florida.
The Panhandle and much of northern Florida is under a hard freeze warning, the National Weather Service says. The warning extended almost down to Tampa Bay along the Gulf Coast.
Florida officials have been urging residents, visitors and agricultural interests to prepare for temperatures near or below the freezing mark this week, CNN affiliate WESH reports.
Along with the dangerously cold temperatures, residents in Montana have been warned by the Weather Service to brace for blizzard conditions with snowfall of 12 to 20 inches possible across parts of the state.
Video: Tailgating in the snow RELATED TOPICS
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In Chicago, Illinois, residents bundled up on another bitterly cold day and many stayed indoors, CNN affiliate WLS reports.
Despite the dangerous cold, some people ventured out, . especially parishioners at Holy Name Cathedral, WLS said.
"It's God first. Even though weather is terrible, we've still got to go to church," said Alez Alverez.
Early Monday morning, the temperature in Chicago was 9 degrees with light snow, WLS reported. By Saturday, the forecast high is only 8 degrees.
In the Northeast, the Weather Service warned that a large storm off the New England coast would continue to bring heavy snow to much of central New York state.
