Cold wave

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A cold wave (known in some regions as a cold snap, cold spell or Arctic Snap) is a weather phenomenon that is distinguished by a cooling of the air. Specifically, as used by the U.S. National Weather Service, a cold wave is a rapid fall in temperature within a 24-hour period requiring substantially increased protection to agriculture, industry, commerce, and social activities. The precise criteria for a cold wave are the rate at which the temperature falls, and the minimum to which it falls. This minimum temperature is dependent on the geographical region and time of year.^[1]

In the United States, a cold spell is defined as the national average high temperature dropping below 20 °F (−7 °C).^[2] A cold wave of sufficient magnitude and duration may be classified as a cold air outbreak (CAO).^[3][4]