Albany, New York – A surge of Arctic air over the past two weeks has produced some of the coldest temperatures seen so far during the 2025–2026 winter across the Northeast.
According to the National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters, multiple cities recorded their coldest low temperatures of the season, with some locations approaching or exceeding levels not seen in a decade or more. The cold outbreak followed a strong blast of polar air that settled over the region in late January and early February.
In Watertown, New York, temperatures plunged to -36 degrees on February 8, making it one of the coldest readings in the Northeast this winter and nearing the city’s all-time winter extremes. Syracuse dropped to -9 degrees, while Allentown, Pennsylvania, also reached -9 degrees, both well below their seasonal averages.
Major population centers experienced notable cold as well. Boston recorded a low of 4 degrees, Philadelphia dropped to 8 degrees, and New York City’s Central Park reached 3 degrees, all occurring in early February. While these values did not break all-time records, they were colder than the 30-year average annual coldest low for several locations.
Transportation corridors including Interstate 87, Interstate 81, Interstate 90, and Interstate 95 were impacted by extreme cold, increasing the risk of vehicle issues, icy patches on untreated roads, and infrastructure strain. Prolonged subfreezing temperatures also heightened concerns for frozen pipes and vulnerable populations.
The National Weather Service notes that in a few areas, this winter has produced the coldest temperature in ten years or more, underscoring the intensity of the recent cold spell even as overall winter temperatures fluctuate.
Commuters, students, and outdoor workers were especially affected during early morning hours when wind chills made conditions feel even colder.
While temperatures have moderated since the peak of the cold outbreak, forecasters emphasize that winter is not over and additional cold snaps remain possible later in the season.
Residents are encouraged to remain prepared for extreme cold episodes and monitor updated forecasts as conditions evolve.
