Map shows where temperatures will plunge across the US as winter weather returns

A map from the National Weather Service indicating freeze warnings in the south

Thermostats are set to drop in a number of states this week, with more than half the US population expected to experience a freezing temperatures from Monday night. The plunge comes after a spell of warm weather, meaning that some cities could see a swing up of to 20 degrees.

Temperatures in New York City and Philadelphia are forecasted to drop to the 40s on Tuesday following a weekend of 60 degree averages. Atlanta will experience a similar drop as will Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans and St Louis.

Parts of south, all the way from Texas to Alabama, could measure up to 15 degrees below normal. Crop and plant warnings are in place for than 24 million people in such areas.

Freeze warnings are in place in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Some areas further north, like Chicago, could experience temperatures in the 20s.

Those around the Great Lakes and central Appalachians could even see snow. “Fluctuating bands of lake effect snow will occur starting late this Monday evening. Lake effect snow will continue on Tuesday,” the National Weather Service said.

“Another system will bring more widespread snow to the region on Wednesday followed by lake effect snowfall again Wednesday night and Thursday. Accumulations will be most likely overnight, which may cause slick roads for the Tuesday morning commute.”

The National Weather Service in Atlanta also put out an alert, saying: “Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”

The weather is expected to return to normal next week.

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