A polar vortex is slated to sweep most of the continental United States bringing a hazardous freeze to millions of Americans from the Deep South to the Northeast Saturday going into next week.

Temperatures will plummet by up to 40 degrees this weekend as an arctic blast spreads across much of the U.S., including the Deep South.

A potent cold front will enter the north-central U.S. before roaring across much of the rest of the nation over the weekend.

M uch of the southern High Plains, including the Texas Panhandle, saw temperatures nosedive over 40 degrees in a few minutes. Amarillo, Texas, went from a high of 70 degrees to a low of 13 that day.

Extension agents have joined forces for the annual Great Plains Grower Conference, which bridges the gap between farmers and consumers.