CNN —
Dangerous wind chills as cold as 50 degrees Fahrenheit below zero are set to blast the Northeast as the number of deaths linked to an ice storm in the South rose to eight.
The mind-numbing wind chills set to wallop New England “could be the coldest felt in decades,” the Weather Prediction Center said.
More than 15 million people are under wind chill warnings or advisories in the Northeast. The alerts begin to go into effect early Friday morning and last through Saturday afternoon.
“This is an epic, generational Arctic outbreak,” said the National Weather Service in Caribou, Maine. “The air mass descending on the area Friday into Friday night is the coldest air currently in the Northern Hemisphere.”
Such extreme conditions can cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.
Fortunately, the brutal blast will only last about 36 hours. Temperatures across most of the Northeast are expected to rise by Sunday afternoon.
But farther south, cities paralyzed by a deadly ice storm this week got a final encore of nasty weather before a weekend warmup.
Here’s what’s happening in the South and Northeast:
8 deaths and 400,000 power outages in the South

Austin Energy linemen work to restore power on ice-covered lines Wednesday in Austin, Texas.
The deadly ice storm that crippled parts of the South this week dumped more freezing rain Thursday.
About a quarter inch of fresh ice glazed parts of central and northern Texas, including the weather service’s Fort Worth office.
“We have about 0.20 inches of accumulated ice on branches here at the office,” the service in Fort Worth tweeted Thursday. “It’s an ice rink on these side roads and on our parking lot.”
At least eight deaths in two states have been linked to the storm this week, officials said:
• In Custer County, Oklahoma, a 35-year-old driver was killed Thursday morning on Interstate 40 when his semi-truck slid on ice and overturned, Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
• In Payne County, Oklahoma, a 45-year-old man was killed when he lost control of his Ford F-150 pickup truck on an icy road Thursday morning, the highway patrol said.
• Three people were killed near Brownfield, Texas, after the 46-year-old driver of a Dodge Ram pickup truck lost control Wednesday morning on an icy part of US Highway 380 and rolled into a ditch. The driver and two of his passengers were killed, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
• A 49-year-old driver died this week when she lost control of her truck on an icy road north of Eldorado, the Texas Department of Public Safety told CNN on Wednesday.
• In south Austin, a 10-car piled up killed one person Tuesday morning, the city’s fire department said.
• In Arlington, Texas, one person was killed after their vehicle rolled over, police said.
On top of the treacherous road conditions, more than 400,000 homes, businesses and other power customers had no electricity Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. Most of the outages were in the Austin area.
More than 60,000 customers in Arkansas, 17,000 in Mississippi and 9,000 in Tennessee also had no power in the brutal cold on Thursday.
But by Thursday afternoon, temperatures finally crept above freezing in parts of Texas that were covered in ice, the National Weather Service said.
“Most locations have reached above freezing with highs today ranging from the upper 30s in the north to the mid 50s further south,” the NWS’ Austin/San Antonio office tweeted.
The Texas A&M Forest Service warned residents to beware of melting ice.
“As trees across the state continue to be weighed down by ice and snow, keep in mind: Safety first,” the forest service tweeted. “Wait until all ice melts to assess your trees and homes. Though ice is starting to melt, it can fall off in chunks and become dangerous.”
Boston could feel like it’s 27 degrees below zero
More than 15 million people will be under wind chill alerts starting Friday as sub-zero temperatures and ferocious winds target the Northeast.
“The wind chills are something northern and eastern Maine has not seen since similar outbreaks in 1982 and 1988,” the weather service said.
The alerts cover all of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. They also include northern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania and much of New York state outside of New York City and Long Island.
The bitter cold is expected to move into the region Friday morning, and the coldest temperatures are expected Friday night and Saturday morning.
Temperatures will plummet below zero degrees in much of New York state and New England. In northern New York and northern New England, temperatures will dip to 15 to 25 degrees below zero.
But vicious winds will make the air feel even colder – with wind chills plunging to minus 35 to minus 50 degrees in northern New York state and northern New England.
“Avoid any outdoor activities on Friday and Saturday!” the New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management posted on Facebook. “Cold temperatures paired with the wind chill factor could lead to potentially life-threatening conditions outdoors.”
New York City could endure wind chills as low as 10 degrees below zero.
“New Yorkers across the state will experience dangerously cold temperatures and life-threatening wind chills this weekend,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Thursday.
“Now is the time to prepare: plan to limit your time outdoors this weekend and know where to take shelter. Take all necessary precautions to ensure your residence is safely heated and use caution if you plan to use an alternative heat source, such as a space heater.”
And in Boston, where the air will feel like it’s 27 degrees below zero, the mayor declared a cold emergency for Friday through Sunday.
“I urge all Boston residents to take precautions, stay warm and safe, and check on your neighbors during this cold emergency,” Mayor Michelle Wu said.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will operate trains and buses near regular schedules, but is warning riders of delays. They say flights delays at both Logan and Worcester Regional Airport are possible with the frigid temperature expected this weekend.
Massachusetts’ governor says local leaders are organizing shelter for those who want it. “We encourage anyone who needs a place to stay to accept this offer and spend the night at a safe, warm shelter rather than at the station,” Maura Healey said.
Boston, Springfield, and Worcester public school districts have announced plans to close Friday.
“With extreme weather conditions and many of our students commuting to and from school, walking and waiting for public transportation outdoors, we have made the decision to close for the day,” Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper said in a statement on the school district’s website.
The statement also encouraged families in need to take advantage of warming centers on Friday and Saturday.
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Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont warned how quickly such conditions can dangerous or deadly.
“With the kind of severe cold weather that is headed our way, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in under 30 minutes,” Lamont said.
“Spending long periods of time outdoors in these conditions is not only harmful, it can be fatal.”
Shelters and warming centers are available across Connecticut, and transportation can be provided when needed, said Lamont.
Warming centers are also expected to be available in Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont, officials said.
The agony won’t last long, though. High temperatures across the region will rise 20 to 30 degrees between Saturday and Sunday.
In fact, most of the Northeast – except northern Maine – will actually be above normal Sunday, with high temperatures reaching the 30s and 40s.
Other states are also warning their residents to stay safe ahead of the extremely cold weather forecast. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is urging residents to prepare for the “life-threatening cold temperatures.”
“This is going to be a cold weather crisis from Seabrook to Colebrook, right. So let’s understand no one’s going to be immune I think to what’s coming down,” he added.
New Hampshire, Vermont and Providence, Rhode Island, have announced school closures on Friday.
And Maine Governor Janet Mills said in a news released, “Maine is forecast to experience a level of extreme cold temperatures that only occurs about once every decade.”
And zoos in Utica, New York, and Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, will close and plan to keep the majority of their animals indoors on Friday and Saturday due to the extremely cold temperatures.
Officials are urging residents to prepare for the extreme weather and check in on on neighbors and friends during this cold snap.
Canada is also getting it’s fair share of the cold blast. The entire provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba are all under “Extreme Cold” warnings, according to Environment Canada.
Toronto is expecting wind chill of 22 degrees below zero, according to an alert from Environment Canada. And areas in Quebec could see wind chills drop to between 36 to 67 degrees below zero.
CNN’s Chris Boyette, Sara Smart and Taylor Ward contributed to this report.
FAQs
Why is it so cold in New England? ›
What's causing the cold? New England's temperature swing is being caused by two things: The blast of Arctic air has reached the region just as a rapid cyclogenesis is developing over Labrador and Newfoundland, churning up powerful winds, said meteorologist Donald Dumont at the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.
What is the coldest wind chill? ›A new record for the coldest wind chill ever recorded, minus 108 degrees Fahrenheit, was set at the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, the region's highest peak, on Friday. The previous record was minus 103 degrees.
What state has the coldest temperature? ›Alaska is the coldest state in the US, with an average annual temperature of 30.7 F°. The second coldest state in the US is North Dakota, with an average temperature of 42.4 F°. Minnesota is the third coldest state, with an average temperature of 42.5 Fº.
Where is the coldest place on Earth in July? ›Part of the Southern Pole of Cold, an area in the southern hemisphere with the lowest-recorded surface temperatures, the Vostok research station was created by the Soviet Union in 1957. Thermometers here reached a low of -89.2°C in July 1983, the lowest air temperature ever directly recorded.
Is New England warming faster than the rest of the US? ›Experts say New England is warming faster than the rest of the planet — a change they attribute to changes in atmospheric conditions and rising temperatures in coastal waters, such as the rapidly heating Gulf of Maine.
What is the coldest in America? ›I thought it opportune to look at what the coldest temperatures ever observed in the lower 48 states have been, with special attention to the coldest reading of all—the -69.7°F reported from Rogers Pass, Montana on January 20, 1954.
What weather is too cold for humans? ›The fingers, nose, ears, toes, cheeks and chin are most vulnerable to frostbite, and should be covered as much as possible. When Is Cold Too Cold? Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18.
What is the coldest windchill recorded in the US? ›Minus 108 F wind chill, 97 MPH winds hit Mount Washington, New Hampshire. The wind chill on the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, dropped to minus 108 F, which is likely the lowest ever recorded in the country.
What states have no cold weather? ›- Arizona. It's hard to resist the idyllic landscapes, scenic splendor, tranquility and endless blue skies of Arizona. ...
- 2. California. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Florida. ...
- Nevada. ...
- New Mexico. ...
- South Carolina. ...
- Texas.
What state has the best weather? Many cities in southern and central California like San Diego and Santa Barbara have year-round temperatures typically between 60 and 85 degrees and see little rainfall, making California the state with the best weather!
What states have no winter? ›
- 1. California. You can't beat the south and central California coast for pleasant temperatures year round. ...
- Hawaii. ...
- Texas. ...
- Arizona. ...
- Florida. ...
- Georgia. ...
- South Carolina. ...
- Delaware.
You can't beat the south and central California coast for pleasant temperatures year round. Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Maria all have average daily highs no less than the mid-60s for any month of the year. Nor does it get really hot. Temperatures in summer generally stay below 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where is the coldest place to live in the United States? ›Fairbanks, Alaska
With a minimum average temperature of about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks takes the cake as the coldest city in the U.S.
- Eugene, Oregon. Winters in Eugene can be cool but not too cold. ...
- Denver, Colorado. ...
- Honolulu, Hawaii. ...
- Wilmington, North Carolina. ...
- Galveston, Texas. ...
- Seattle, Washington. ...
- Ann Arbor, Michigan. ...
- San Francisco, California.
From a longevity standpoint, a cold environment has been shown to be optimal vs. a warmer environment in terms of median and maximal lifespan in a variety of species.
Are humans meant to sleep more in winter? ›Unlike animals, humans do not need to hibernate during the winter. It may feel like you need more sleep during the winter months because the days get shorter. However, your actual sleep need does not increase. It is normal for sleep habits and activity cycles to change a bit as the seasons change, according to Dr.
What will the winter of 2022 be like in New England? ›It'll be another La Nina winter and they typically feature a storm track across New England. In southern New England that can mean an overall mild winter with slightly below normal snowfall. In a typical La Nina, a lot of the cold and snow occurs early in winter rather than late winter.
What state will be the safest from climate change? ›Climate change hazards like extreme heat, drought, wildfires, inland flooding, and coastal flooding are expected to impact millions of Americans by 2050. Vermont is the best state to move to avoid climate change. At-risk homeowners can minimize threats and save money by future-proofing their homes.
Where is the safest place in the US for climate change? ›1. San Francisco, California. California may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of climate resiliency, but San Francisco is a different story, earning the highest score of the 50 cities in our study.
What is the fastest warming state in the US? ›Rank | State | Temperature Change (˚F) |
---|---|---|
1 | New Jersey | 2.55 |
2 | Alaska | 2.47 |
3 | Delaware | 2.39 |
4 | Rhode Island | 2.37 |
Why is the U.S. getting colder? ›
But at the same time, global warming can cause winters to be colder and more severe. In a study published in Science in 2021, researchers found that warming in the Arctic causes a disruption in the stratospheric polar vortex. This disruption can be linked to extreme cold in parts of North America and Asia.
Which city in the U.S. is expected to have the highest temperature? ›Riverside, California
By 2050, this SoCal city is expected to have the highest number of extreme heat days of any city in our study: nearly six months — or 178 days.
Yakutsk, the capital city of Russia's Sakha Republic in eastern Siberia, is widely identified as being one of the coldest places in the world.
What temperature is too cold for a house? ›The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends indoor temperatures of at least 64°F (you can drop that down to 62°F at night if you're really looking to save on your heating bill). But if you have infants, sick or elderly people in your household, then it's recommended that you keep the thermostat set at 70°F.
How long can you be outside in 25 degree weather? ›In some areas, the temperatures can drop to unsafe conditions for people and it's good to know when the cold is too cold. When temperatures drop between 21-32 degrees, limit outdoor activities to 15-20 minutes for small children. If it drops to below 20 degree, bring the kids indoors.
What weather is too cold to sleep in? ›Most scientists agree that the best room temperature for sleep is approximately 18.3 degrees Celsius, although this can vary from person to person between roughly 15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius. For most people, a bedroom temperature below 15.6 degrees Celsius is too cold for optimum sleep.
What is the first coldest state in America? ›Based on the minimum recorded temperature by state, Alaska is the coldest state in the country, with an average temperature of 30.7°F. The second coldest state is North Dakota, with an average temperature of 42.4°F. Minnesota is the third-coldest state, with an average temperature of 42.5°F.
What is the 4th coldest state in the US? ›- Alaska // 28.1° F.
- North Dakota // 41.1° F.
- Minnesota // 41.8° F.
- Maine // 41.9° F.
- Wyoming // 42.3° F.
- Montana // 42.6° F.
- Vermont // 43.2° F.
- Idaho // 44° F.
Fairbanks, Alaska (27.6°F)
Surprised? Even with our “population of at least 10,000” stipulation, Alaska manages to take the win. The city experiences a mean annual temperature of 27.6°F—that's below the freezing point! For those interested in records, the lowest temperature on record for Fairbanks is -66°F.
Where Has It Never Snowed In the U.S.? Extreme South Florida: Within the “Sunshine State,” no city south of Homestead has ever observed snow. Florida's low latitude and low elevation mean temperatures rarely get cold enough for snow to fall, let alone accumulate on the ground.
What are the best states to live in without snow? ›
Much like Florida, Hawaii's average yearly snowfall is non-existent. It also boasts highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 60s. Weather like this should certainly make you consider saying “Aloha” to Hawaii in the winter months.
What states have the easiest winters? ›- Arizona. If you're looking for a warm vacation spot for the winter, look no further than the capital of Arizona, Tucson. ...
- 2. California. The central and south California coasts have enjoyable temperatures all year round. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Florida. ...
- Nevada. ...
- New Mexico. ...
- South Carolina. ...
- Texas.
Nevada is the driest state in the US, receiving about 10.2 inches (241 mm) of rain every year. According to data collected since 1938, Las Vegas receives slightly less than 4.2 inches of rain per year on average.
Which state has the harshest weather? ›- Extreme weather score: 73.1.
- All-time maximum temperature: 134°F.
- All-time minimum temperature: -45°F.
- All-time greatest 24-hour precipitation: 25.8 inches.
- All-time maximum 24-hour snowfall: 67.0 inches.
- Annual tornadoes per 10k square miles: 0.7 per 10k square miles.
Alaska. Alaska is the coldest state in the U.S. Alaska's average temperature is 28.1°F (-2.7°C) and can go as low as -30°F (-34°C) during the winter months. The Fairbanks area experiences some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in the state, with highs of 90°F in the summer and lows around -50°F.
Who has the warmest winters in the US? ›Miami, Florida holds the title for the warmest city in the USA during the winter. It also offers some of the hottest weather in the US! Daily average highs in the winter reach 70°F (21°C) and nightly lows only drop to around 62°F (17°C).
What US state has the warmest winter? ›It's true that Hawaii is the warmest state during the winter, but it falls out of contention during other seasons, especially summer.
Where is the most comfortable place to live? ›Vienna tops the ranking of cities in the world in terms of quality of life according to The Economist.
Where is the cheapest warm place to live? ›- Mexico. Like any country, some parts of Mexico are nicer and safer than others. ...
- Panama. Just a bit further south is Panama. ...
- Ecuador. Situated on the equator, Ecuador is a top pick if you really desire warm weather. ...
- Colombia. ...
- Costa Rica. ...
- Malaysia. ...
- Spain. ...
- Nicaragua.
- Nevada. Unsurprisingly, the first entry on this list is a state famous for its arid climate and desert-like environment. ...
- Wyoming. ...
- Arizona. ...
- Montana. ...
- Colorado.
Where is the cheapest warmest place to live in the United States? ›
It's Charlotte, North Carolina, the cheapest place to live in America with ... [+] Coming in at the top of the list: Charlotte, North Carolina, which ranks high thanks to affordable housing, a moderate cost of living, high-paying jobs, a vibrant community and year-round mild weather.
Where is the warmest place to live in US? ›Key West, Florida is the hottest city in the United States followed by Miami, Florida and Yuma, Arizona. Seven of the ten hottest cities in the United States are in Florida. Arizona has two of the hottest cities in the United States: Yuma and Phoenix.
What is the most comfortable climate in the world? ›The Canary Islands climate is considered the best climate in the world, thanks to the year-round pleasant, mild temperatures. This is added to the facts that it rarely rains in the archipelago and that it is the region with the most hours of sunlight per day in Europe.
What part of Florida has no humidity? ›During the winter, north Florida and the Panhandle is much less humid than South Florida due to colder winter temperatures. Remember, colder air holds much less water vapor than warm air, so the colder parts of Florida will be less humid that warmer areas further south.
Is it always cold in New England? ›Most of New England has a humid continental climate with cold winters and heavy snowfall from December to February. Summers are warm with some rainfall spread throughout the year. As you move further south, you'll get to enjoy milder climates.
Is New England very cold? ›In this region, the winters are long, cold, and heavy snow is common (most locations in this region receive 60 to 120 inches or 1.52 to 3.05 metres of snow annually).
Why is North East England so cold? ›Why is that? It is due to the different air masses that meet over the country. Each air mass brings different characteristics. Here in the North East the air mass is influenced by very cold winds from the Arctic so it's no surprise that we tend to be cooler.
What is the coldest month in New England? ›The coldest month of the year is January, with an average high temperature of 36 °F or 2.2 °C, and an average low temperature of 22 °F or −5.6 °C.
What will winter be like in Boston 2022-2023? ›Average snowfall in Boston is 49.2 inches according to AccuWeather, and for the 2022-2023 winter the expectations are about the same. Average snowfall this season is expected to accumulate over 16 to 20 days for a total of 40 to 50 inches of snow, so slightly less than last year.
What is the snowiest place in New England? ›Niche's list of the Top 50 Snowiest Cities in America includes those cities as well as four other New England cities (once again, with a population over 50,000). New England's snowiest city is Worcester, with an average snowfall of 58.5 inches.
What is the warmest New England state? ›
- Massachusetts. - All-time highest temperature: 107° F (Chester 2 on Aug. ...
- Connecticut. - All-time highest temperature: 106° F (Torrington on Aug. ...
- Maine. - All-time highest temperature: 105° F (North Bridgton on July 10, 1911) ...
- New Hampshire. ...
- Rhode Island. ...
- Vermont.
The temperatures of London are much milder than those of NYC. NYC is both warmer in the summer and colder in the winter - London is just London all the time. London's temperatures average winter lowers around 40 degrees F (or 5 Celsius) and summer highs get up to around 70 degrees F (21 Celsius).
What is the snowiest month in New England? ›For areas east, including the city of Boston, it's not unusual at all. Boston's snowiest month is usually January, with around 14 inches of snowfall on average.
What was the worst winter in England? ›The winter of 1963 - the coldest for more than 200 years
With temperatures so cold the sea froze in places, 1963 is one of the coldest winters on record. Bringing blizzards, snow drifts, blocks of ice, and temperatures lower than -20 °C, it was colder than the winter of 1947, and the coldest since 1740.
Further fall in minimum temperatures by about 2°C very likely over many parts of Northwest & central India till 17th January and gradual rise by 3-5°C during 18th-21st January. Fall in minimum temperatures by 2-3°C very likely over East India till 17th and gradual rise by 2-3°C during 18th-21st January.
Why is the Eastern US so cold? ›The cold temperature on the East Coast is due to the winds. In the winter, the westerly winds blow warm moist air onto the West Coast, which makes it rain so much. Since land cools and heats more than the ocean does, the land is much colder than the ocean during the winter.
What does a La Nina winter mean for New England? ›Typically, when La Niña is present, slightly above average temperatures occur across the northeastern United States. Courtesy: NOAA/CPC. NOAA and the CPC are giving equal chances of seeing both below and above-average precipitation for New England.
What is the coldest England has ever been? ›Scotland recorded -27.2°C, the UK's coldest ever temperature, in 1895, 1982 and 1995. The first two times were recorded in the same location, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, whilst in 1995 it was recorded in Altnaharra, Sutherland. In England, the coldest ever temperature recorded was -26.1°C.
What months are winter in New England? ›- Early Spring (March thru mid-April)
- Late Spring (mid-April thru May)
- Early Summer (June thru mid-July)
- Late Summer (mid-July thru August)
- Early Autumn (September thru mid-October)
- Late Autumn (Mid-October thru November)
- Early Winter (December thru mid-January)