Berlin, New Hampshire – A dangerous Arctic air mass continues to tighten its grip on New England early Saturday, placing millions across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of northern New York at risk from life-threatening cold.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Gray, Burlington, and Boston, Extreme Cold Warnings remain in effect across much of northern and western New England through late morning or early afternoon Saturday. Wind chills have plunged as low as 40 below zero in parts of western Maine, northern New Hampshire, and northern New York, with values near 30 to 35 below common across Vermont and the interior high terrain of Massachusetts.
The coldest conditions are focused around sunrise, impacting communities such as Bethel and Rangeley in Maine, North Conway and Littleton in New Hampshire, Burlington, Montpelier, Stowe, and Rutland in Vermont, and Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake in northern New York. Frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, making even brief outdoor exposure hazardous.
Emergency managers across New England urge residents to stay indoors as much as possible, dress in multiple layers if travel is unavoidable, and fully cover exposed skin. Pets should be brought inside, and homeowners are advised to monitor heating systems and protect plumbing from freezing. Officials also stress checking on elderly neighbors and anyone without reliable heat.
While wind chills may slowly improve later today, dangerously cold conditions are expected to redevelop after sunset in some areas, with additional cold weather advisories continuing into Sunday. Residents are urged to remain alert for updates as this unusually intense cold spell persists across the region.
