this morning on "early today," frigid front. an arctic cold wave grips much of the nation sending temperatures in to a downward spiral. abandon ship. three florida men are rescued at sea after sailing into rough water. and highway horror. dashboard video captures terrifying moments as a big rig jackknifed in to oncoming traffic. captions paid for by nbc-universal television a very good morning to you. today we begin with bundling up.

this morning old man winter has a stranglehold on much of the nation from the northeast to the midwest. temperatures have gone into a free fall hitting dangerous lows. nbc's frances coe has more. >> reporter: bundling up, the latest defense by people in chicago and across the northeast. >> obviously you can't be overdressed. >> layers, layers, layers. and i don't care how i look. >> reporter: winter's latest cold snap means dipping and dangerous lows in some parts of the country. >> when you consider the air temperature and windchill, if you've got exposed flesh, you could get frostbite in as little as ten minutes. >> reporter: and it's that danger forcing people to seek shelter.ç >> we try to come in from the cold because the cold is not forgiving. >> reporter: as some people cower from the cold, there are some who, well, revel in it. in maryland where temperatures tanked to the 20s, hundreds of people in bathing suits ran into

the breezing river saturday for the 6th annual polar bear plunge on the potomac. >> i'm awake! >> reporter: and in boston, being on thin ice was actually welcomed by kids of all ages >> i have like five layers on right now. >> is it working? >> yeah, it is. definitely. as long as you prepare extremities, glove, hat, you're good. >> reporter: frances coe, nbc news. president obama has released an online preview of tomorrow's state of the union address where job creation will be the big focus along with an emphasis on working together on capitol hill. nbc's tracie potts joins us live from washington. good morning to you. >> reporter: veronica, good morning. good morning, every. in that preview president obama says he wants to focus on making america competitive as well as creating jobs, but republicans want to hear what he is going to do about the nation's $1.3 trillion debt that is

dangerously close to hitting its limit. he says will he talk about the debt and the deficit and how to deal with it in a responsible way. now, hours before this speechl tomorrow the house will vote on whether to roll spending limits back to 2008. that was part of their campaign promise. the budget chair for the house now says monthing, even defense, is immune. democrats fear these cuts could cost thousands of jobs. so tomorrow they'll be looking to president obama for some direction on how to cut government spending and create jobs at the same time. also this morning, we just learned that the intern for congresswoman gabrielle giffords and the hero of the arizona shootings will be sitting in the box with first lady michelle obama for the state of the union tomorrow. veronica. >> all right. tracie potts for us many washington. tracie, thank you. nbc news will have live coverage of president obama's state of the union address tomorrow night at 9:00 eastern right hereç on your nbc statio.

well, the houston hospital treating congresswoman gabrielle giffords says her condition is improving daily. still, giffords remains in intensive care due to a build up of brain fluid as she recovers from a gunshot wound to the head. fluid buildup is a common problem with brain injuries. meanwhile the gunman accused in the deadly tucson shooting is expected to make his second courtroom appearance today and could enter pleas. he's been indicted on three counts of attempted murder with more charges expected. now here's a look at some other stories making news early today in america. in florida, a carnival cruise ship came to the rescue of three boaters and their cat 12 miles off the coast of cuba. the boaters sent out a distress call after they were stranded. they drifted for two days before the cruise ship crew spotted them during the return voyage to miami. also in florida, hundreds of pint-sized pirates brought

smiles to thousands of land lovers at the annual gasparilla children's extravaganza. with the temperatures dipping below 60, the kids were bundled up, but that didn't stop them from throwing beads and having a good time. it's the adults turn next weekend when 400,000 would-be pirates are expected to take over tampa. and in texas, the annual polar bear plunge looked more like a halloween party, i guess you could say. lone star staters wore special swimsuits as they slid down water park slides in what for texas was a pretty frigid 31 degrees, so the sun was still shining. the event raised money for the state's special olympics. now for a look at your national and regional weather, here's bill karins with the weather channel forecast. bill, i don't know, looked like fun. >> that's the way to do it, though. instead of just running into a frozen lake, you know, if i was to go down a slide, i think ki handle that one. well, temperatures are the big story this past weekend.

we have temperatures as low as minus 40. yaz numbers up many the morning plains. that has made it to the east coast. much of the country is actually warming up now. pacific air instead of arctic air has moved on shore in the west. there is a storm system. it's a weak storm that's going to be heading up here just north of seattle during the day today. it's going to drag a cold front through the pacific morgan stanley. there's already a lot of clouds out there. want a lot of rain in oregon, but up in washington state we do have this area of rain. we're still very much dominated by high pressure, and as long as this high sits here, we're going to continue what has just been a fantastic trend of weather all through southern california and arizona. it's just been very mild lately and very enjoyable. now, to the northwest, i mentioned some of that light rain. it's very light. there's not a lot of it either from olympia northward. you know, continue on and off as we go throughout our morning. begin to taper off once the front goes through this afternoon. by tonight it will be all said and done. temperatures, they're not all that cold. we're in the 46 degree range many seattle. from phoenix to l.a., probably need a jacket as you head out

the door, but you'll be carrying that home with sunshine and temperatures at 77 in l.a. today. 60 in san francisco. not bad. vegas in the low 60s. we'll call it 50 degrees in pseattle with those clouds and tuesday forecast coming up a little later, veronica. >> 77 degrees in los angeles, bill, can you -- >> it's the place to be. >> can you please ask the west coast if they'll trade places with us just for like a week. >> they wouldn't in a heart beat. >> i'm sure. well, they're buying on wall street. what they'll be watching for on wall street and what not to say at your next job interview. your early morning business headlines are straight ahead. plus, she may be persona

nongrado when it comes to the queen, but not so with prince william. coming up on this monday morning, two of the nfl's most historic franchises clinch their tickets to the super bowl. you're watching "early today."

>> good morning, and welcome back to "early today." here are some of your top headlines this morning. authorities say a gunman opened fire in a detroit precinct shooting four officers. fortunately their injuries are not life threatening. the gunman was shot and killed by police. no word yet on a motive. a north carolina woman who authorities believe kidnapped a baby 23 years ago from a new york hospital and raised her as her own child is now in custody. ann pettway turned herself in yesterday after a warrant was issued related to an embezzlement case. she's expected to appear in federal court today to face kidnapping charges. the now grown child, carlina white, was recently reunited

with her parents. jack lalanne, the man considered to be the father of the modern fitness movement, has died. lalanne, who worked out with weights when they were an odddy, and opened the fitness model, died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia. he was 96 years old. and dramatic video from canada. a spectacular crash of a truck losing control and smashing through a concrete median. somehow no one was seriously hurt. the truck driver has been charged with careless driving. >> and now here's a look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opens at 11,871 after gaining 49 points friday. the s&p inched up three. the nasdaq fell 14. taking a look at overseas trading, in tokyo, the nikkei rose 70 points. but in hong kong, the hang seng lost 75.

after the s&p 500 had its first weekly loss in two months, the pressure is on for a lengthy lineup of corporate reports to turn things around. nearly a quarter of the s&p and about half of the dow will weigh in with earnings this week including johnson and johnson, boeing and caterpillar. investors will also be tuned in to the fed's two day policy meeting, reports on consumer confidence and durable goods and the first look at fourth quarteç gross domestic product. kicking off the week, rocktenn is buying smurfit-stone. that's about $3.5 billion in cash and stock. sara lee about to receive a takeover offer from a private equity group as well as a competing offer from jbs, brazilian beef company. despite a troublesome year, toyota managed to hold on to its title as the world's largest automaker with nearly 8.5 million auto sales. a new survey shows

regular gas up three cents to $3.11 a gallon and the "wall street journal" reports the postal service is looking to cut costs by closing as many as 2,000 post offices beginning in march. meanwhile some much needed optimism from a new survey that found 42% of 84 u.s. companies polled last quarter expected to increase jobs in the next six months. and finally, if you land a job interview, you might want to avoid these common mistakes. trashing your former employer and complaining about your spouse. but apparently the most common offense, answering a cell phone or texting. well, the packers and bears take their storied rivalry to the nfc championship game. plus the steelers put an end to the new york jets' long loud playoff run. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. much of the country will begin a much deserved warm-up. your forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if you're just waking up, this is "early today." in sports, winding up the nfl playoffs, two of the teams that have been there the most are heading back to the super bowl. here's nbc's fred roggin with an early look at all your sports headlines. >> good morning.

the jets were able to get past peyton manning but ran in to a steel curtain in pittsburgh. mendenhall capped off a nine minute drive with a one yard score. steelers in control from the start 7-0. we go to the second. pets burg running away up 17-0, and their defense joined the fun. got mark sanchez, he fumbled. the rout was on, touchdown steelers. they were up 24-0 at the break. the jets showed some life in the third. sanchez rolled out and threw a strike to santonio holmes. the pormer steeler hauled many a 45-yard bomb. morning rallied and scored 16 unanswer and trailed 24-19 in the çfourth. jets' defense has been hailed all year, but when they needed a stop, they couldn't get it. steelers punched their ticket to the super bowl with a first down in the final minutes. pittsburgh won the afc with a 24-19 win. off to chicago now for the 182nd meeting between the packers and bears.

green bay wasted no time getting on the board. aaron rodgers from a yard out. they were up 14-0 at the half. things went from bad to worse in the third. quarterback jay cutler left the game with a mee injury. todd collins didn't last. third stringer took over. the undrafted quarterback led the bears down the field and chester taylor punched it in. chicago down 14-7. minutes later haime driving again. but threw to the big man. packers up 21-7. they seemed to be dancing towards their first super bowl appearance since 1998. under five minutes to play, side stepped one defender and was gone. 35 yards. chicago trailed 21-14 but couldn't get over the hump. packers play the steelers february 6th in super bowl xlv. that's your early look at sports on "early today." i'm fred roggin. hollywood's golden moment adds another notch to her belt. your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. plus these boys and parents

spent a frigid weekend outdoors by choice. you're watching "early today."

welcome back. there's aelgs rain out there in seattle. it's a smaller type storm system, so it's not going to pour all day. this afternoon it will turn more spotty, and tonight it will be

dry. south of there weather is looking fantastic. what a great stretch we have out here from los angeles to vegas to phoenix. i mean, this is just the snow bird weather. this is why everyone goes to these locations as we head through the winter months because they typically are beautiful. that's going to continue right through your tuesday. enjoy. if are you watching us on kntv nbc 11 in california's bay area, see an array of wild flowers and butterflies and enjoy bird watching and explore the living roof with a naturalist at the california academy of sciences. >> i'm so jealous of their weather. >> i'm kind of getting that vibe from you. >> the west coast. here is an early look at this morning's headlines in entertainment. right now it is very good to be natalie portman. the romantic comedy "no strings attached" took the top stop this weekend earning just over $20 million. portman is riding high. a number one film, a golden globe for the movie "black swan."

she just announced she's pregnant and she's getting married. congratulations to her. last week's number one, "the green hornet," dropped to second with just over $18 million. "the dilemma" slipped to third. not even hitting $10 million. and "the king's speech" took inç $9 million for fourth, but made bigger news by being named best picture by the producers guild of america, a group whose picks usually go on to win the top oscar. finally speaking of royals, reports say at the insistence of prince william, sarah ferguson the duchess of york, will get an invite to his upcoming wedding to kate middleton. she's been unwelcome at royal gatherings since her 1996 divorce from prince andrew. i don't know, bill. the king's speech, i saw it with my mom. i went home to vegas last week, and it was amazing. i even cried. >> really?

i heard the script is very well -- the actors are good. the script is good. >> geoffrey rush and colin firth were amazing. one brave group of boy scouts actually chose to spend 24 hours outdoors in frigid temperatures. the subzero sleepover gave the scouts a chance to learn how to adapt and overcome and earn their zero hero badge. learning to build snow caves and dress properly in arctic weather. scouts are learning to embrace where they live and when it was all over, they probably gave a pretty snug embrace to their warm beds too. i would as well. i'm veronica de la cruz and this is "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

computer geeks from around the world managed to pull themselves away from their screens to attend a huge technology fair in brazil. thousands camped out for a week to attend the campus party. apple co-founder was a guest speaker. as was former vice president al gore. attendes participate in workshops on topics ranging from games and software to robotics. and a new fire engine distinguishes deadly fires using a water cannon powered by jet turbo engines. it consumes over four tons of water a minute, sprays over 160 feet and can extinguish fires almost instantaneously. there are 12 in china, each costing about half a million

dollars. talk about high end dining, the world's highest restaurant has opened in dubai standing at a sky scraping 1,300 feet tall located on the 122nd floor of a 123-floor building. diners can enjoy a delicious meal along with 180 degree views of the city skyline. but towering views also come with a towering price tag. appetizers will set you back $50 and the entrees, i don't know, what do you think about the entrees? $90. >> something like that is once in a lichl. you're talking anniversary, valentine's day. that's fine. >> the food better be good. >> time for an early look at some of the stories we are going to be following throughout the day right here on nbc. president obama will host an event at the white house unveiling efforts to better coordinate and strengthen the government's support for military families. then later in the day, he'll hold a reception for new members of congress.

>> new york mayor michael bloomberg will make an announcement on illegal guns. he's expected to be joined by friends and family members of victims of the columbine and virginia tech shooting tragedies. and today neil diamond turns 70 years old. happy birthday. all day long, you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. find out the latest forecast as frigid temperatures and wicked windchills grip the nation. and hear from a woman who says she knows a big secret oprah is about to reveal. now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm veronica de la cruz. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a terrific monday.

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