9:55 a.m. EST January 8, 2014  The record big freeze is almost over, but that doesn't mean an end to winter.

The hard winter freeze blamed for more than 20 deaths will begin to lift Wednesday as an Arctic air mass that gripped much of the nation moves off the Eastern seaboard, the National Weather Service says.

The change will be gradual, but steady, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, while some areas of the Deep South, like Atlanta, will go from a record low of 6 degrees Tuesday to sunny and 42 degree on Wednesday.

But the worst is over, as temperatures move up from 1 degree mark recorded in Reading, Pa., and New York City's 6 degree reading that broke a record Jan. 7 set in 1896.

The freezing weather, driven by an arm of the winter winds that normally circle the North Pole, is blamed for at least 21 death nationwide since Sunday, including seven victims in Illinois and six in Indiana.

Among the victims were homeless people caught outside as well as people who collapsed while shoveling snow.

The more moderate weather does not mean an end to winter. The NWS forecasts a "wintery mix" Wednesday across the lower and mid-Mississippi Valley as precipitation falls through the cold air that is still in place.

Indianapolis, which was slammed by 11 inches of snow on Sunday, will likely pick up another inch, the NWS said.

According to AccuWeather.com, an icy mix of sleet and freezing rain is also likely to spread a thin coat of ice on roadways, adding to the woes of travelers. Oklahoma City may also find a coating of ice on Thursday morning.