Numerous states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are bracing for extreme cold as a watch goes into place Friday night and throughout the weekend.
An Arctic surge will bring dangerous wind chills and fresh snow squall risks to parts of the Great Lakes, interior Northeast and New England, with forecast maps highlighting areas where wind chills could plunge into the minus 30s.
Portions of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey could see wind chills from zero to -15 degrees.
Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are all facing the bitterly cold temperatures, and wind chills potentially in the minus 30s amid the extreme cold watch.
National Weather Service (NWS) Albany warns that “Dangerously cold wind chills between 25 and 35 degrees below zero possible.”
That level of cold could rapidly trigger frostbite and hypothermia and strain power infrastructure. Forecast guidance also indicated that fast‑moving snow showers and squalls along the Arctic front could reduce visibility. “Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving,” the NWS warned.
Below is a map showing the states impacted by the extreme cold watch:
Forecasters say winds could gust 30 to 40 mph Friday from the Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley, strengthening to near 50-55 mph in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and New England by Saturday, which could potentially worsen subzero wind chills and produce scattered power outages.
NWS Meteorologist Frank Pereira told Newsweek via phone on Thursday, “Any time you get wind chills that cold, you have a risk of hypothermia and frostbite. People should wear layers to protect themselves and limit travel. People should also keep a look out for animals and make sure they are protected as well.”
Pereira added, “This is certainty a pretty significant outbreak, there will likely be some records broken. We are expecting to see air temperatures fall as well from the Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic. We are expecting to see record cold along the I-95 corridor.”
People can expect the weather to moderate early next week, Pereira said.
NWS Albany also warned on X Thursday: “In addition to the cold, there will be periods of light snow developing Friday night and lasting into Saturday. Most areas will likely see between 1-3″. As winds increase Saturday, blowing snow will reduce visibility in some areas.”
