Massachusetts to Pennsylvania – A dangerous Arctic outbreak is gripping the Northeast, with the National Weather Service issuing Extreme Cold Warnings across much of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through Sunday morning, warning of life-threatening wind chills as low as 25 to 35 degrees below zero.
According to Weather.gov, the coldest conditions will peak Saturday night into early Sunday, when strong northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 to 60 mph, combine with subzero air temperatures. In central and western Massachusetts, including Worcester County and the Berkshires, wind chills may drop to 30 below zero, while large portions of central, northern, and eastern Pennsylvania could experience wind chills between 20 and 35 below.
The extreme cold is accompanied by High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories, increasing the risk of downed trees, power outages, and difficult travel, especially for high-profile vehicles. Hazardous conditions are expected along major corridors including I-90, I-84, I-81, I-80, and the Massachusetts Turnpike, where blowing snow, black ice, and reduced visibility may persist despite limited new snowfall.
The National Weather Service warns that frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 to 30 minutes, and prolonged exposure could quickly lead to hypothermia. Officials urge residents to remain indoors whenever possible, dress in multiple layers, cover all exposed skin, and ensure pets are kept inside. Residents are also advised to check on elderly neighbors, use space heaters safely, and never operate generators or grills indoors.
Utility providers are preparing for isolated to scattered power outages, particularly in areas where strong winds coincide with already stressed infrastructure.
For commuters, early morning hours Saturday and Sunday pose the greatest risk, with sustained wind chills below zero across the region. Conditions are expected to gradually improve late Sunday, but officials stress that this is a high-impact, potentially life-threatening cold event requiring immediate precautions.
