Arctic Air Reaches New England

Some of the coldest air in decades is spilling into the Northeast this morning as a deep Arctic blast makes its way from Canada into northern New England. Temperatures will reach dangerous levels this morning, with the wind making it feel that much worse.
 
A deep upper-level low pressure system is moving through northern New England ant Atlantic Canada this morning. The cold air associated with this system is wrapping around its southern flank into upstate New York and New England, leading to temperatures falling below the zero-degree mark this morning.
 
As if that weren’t enough, gusty winds of 35 to 45 mph are chugging around the low pressure system. The combination of the frigid temperatures and wind has led to wind chills that are below zero this morning as far south as western Pennsylvania, 10 to 20 degrees below zero across southern New England, and 25 to 40 degrees below zero across northern New England.

These temperatures and wind chills are extremely dangerous, and can lead to frostbite on uncovered surfaces within 10 minutes. Cold temperatures of this level can also cause machinery, such as cars, to stop working, so be prepared for such an emergency. Do not go outside unless you absolutely need to tonight, and even if travelling from car-to-home, dress for the outdoor temperature, not for the car’s temperature.
 
Widespread Wind Chill Warnings and Advisories stretch from the Pennsylvania northern tier across all of New York and New England. In addition, a Blizzard Warning is in place across northern Maine, where blowing snow will produce whiteouts and a ground blizzard and make travel near-impossible. This includes the Interstate 95 corridor from Millinocket to the border with Canada in Houlton.
 
The good news is that the frigid weather will be short-lived as milder temperatures quickly return for the second half of the weekend. In fact, by the beginning of next week, temperatures will very likely approach the freezing mark in northern New England, and climb into the 40s and 50s across southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic.