Hartford, CT – Connecticut residents should prepare for a blast of Arctic air set to bring subzero wind chills, single-digit lows, and dangerously cold mornings between Thursday, December 11, and Monday, December 15. The cold surge will affect much of the state, including Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford, as the coldest air of the season arrives next weekend.
According to the National Weather Service Boston/Norton, the Arctic front will move through late Thursday, sending temperatures into the teens and single digits, with wind chills between –5°F and –15°F possible statewide. The northwest winds accompanying the front will make conditions feel even colder, especially in open and coastal areas.
Forecasters expect the system to remain mostly dry, though brief flurries or light snow showers may occur Friday into Saturday. Even with minimal snowfall, icy roads and sidewalks could develop due to the deep freeze.
Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure, bundle up in multiple layers, and bring pets indoors as frostbite can occur in under 15 minutes at these temperatures. Homeowners are advised to protect pipes and heating systems from freezing.
The extreme cold will persist through Monday, December 16, before a gradual warm-up begins midweek. Meteorologists note that another Arctic intrusion may follow later in the month.
Stay tuned for updates from the National Weather Service Boston/Norton and the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security as the cold intensifies.
