Record-Breaking Cold Maligns the Northeast

An Arctic high pressure system has settled over the Northeast, continuing frigid temperatures and wind chills across Appalachia, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic this morning and beyond. 

In the wake of the snowstorm that tracked across the Eastern U.S. earlier this weekend, a polar air mass has halted over the eastern third of the nation. As a result, low temperatures fall to the low teens and single digits across the Mid-Atlantic, the New York metropolitan area, and the New England coast. Much of central Appalachia and the New England interior will sink below zero and into the negative single digits and negative teens, with localized areas dropping into the negative 20s in the Adirondacks and northern ridges of Appalachia. 

On top of the sheer cold, the switch between low and high pressure will continue to provide breezy winds across the Northeastern U.S. throughout the morning, amplifying the cold with even lower wind chills. Including the wind chills, the apparent temperatures will drop to the teens and single digits from North Carolina’s beaches and mountains into northern Virginia. It will feel below zero into the negative teens across central Appalachia, the Northeast’s urban areas, the low-lying Hudson River Valley, many other valleys across New England, and through southern and eastern Maine. Bitter negative 20s and localized negative 30s will quickly zap heat across the Adirondacks and northern Appalachia. 

Even without factoring in the wind, temperatures will still be so cold that many daily low temperature records could be broken this morning. Thankfully for the Eastern U.S., temperatures are expected to rise through mid-week, though Monday morning will still be considered quite frigid across the Northeast. 

Extreme Cold Warnings and Cold Weather Advisories have been issued from eastern Ohio, across the Appalachians into the Carolinas, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic for this morning. The combination of winds and very low temperatures will produce life-threatening wind chills. 

Additionally, Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories are posted for northern Florida and far southeastern Georgia.

It cannot be understated how dangerous the cold will be, as frostbite can set in on exposed skin in 30 minutes or less. If you have to venture outside, dress in layers, being sure to cover up any exposed skin. Also, you can prevent water pipes from freezing by wrapping them or allowing them to drip slowly throughout the day. 

Be sure to keep up with the latest watches and warnings from your local weather sources or by downloading the WeatherBug app. Stay warm!