Boston, Massachusetts – Southern New England is preparing for an extended stretch of dangerous cold, with Arctic air and brutal wind chills expected to settle in Friday night and linger into early next week, raising concerns for public safety, travel and infrastructure.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston, confidence is high that much of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut will experience dangerously cold wind chills beginning late Friday and persisting for several days. Wind chill values are expected to drop well below zero overnight and remain harsh during the daytime, especially Saturday through Monday.
Statewide in Massachusetts, the coldest wind chills are expected across central and western communities, including Worcester County and the higher terrain of the Berkshires, where values could dip into the teens and 20s below zero at times. Along the coast, including Boston, Lowell and New Bedford, wind chills are still expected to fall below zero, particularly overnight and during the early morning hours.
These conditions increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, especially for anyone spending prolonged time outdoors. Residents are urged to dress in layers, cover exposed skin, limit outdoor activity and ensure pets are brought inside. Homeowners should prepare for increased heating demand and protect vulnerable pipes.
Forecasters warn this will be a sustained cold outbreak rather than a brief snap, with little relief expected before early next week. Additional cold weather advisories or wind chill warnings are likely as the Arctic air firmly takes hold across southern New England.
