Officials are predicting a significant polar vortex that will strike much of the United States, even throughout the southeastern portion of the country, with freezing temperatures in January.

The polar vortex event is expected to come from the Northern Plains and move toward the south and east, causing “exceptionally high probabilities of below-normal temperatures expected across much of the East,” along with possible winter storms, according to an alert issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center.

Some temperatures could plunge from 25 degrees Fahrenheit below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit below zero toward the middle of January if the polar vortex reaches full potential.

“The coldest air of the season to date and dangerous wind chills are likely across many areas of the Southeast,” the alert from the federal weather agency continued. “Below freezing temperatures are possible as far south as the Gulf Coast and much of the Florida Peninsula.”

The frigid air could impact the citrus crop in the southeastern United States, as well as produce frozen precipitation and heavy snowfall in much of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Ohio Valley.

“Heavy lake effect snow is likely to enhance totals for areas downwind of the Great Lakes as the arctic air pushes south across partially unfrozen waters,” the alert additionally cautioned.