Boston, Massachusetts – A sharp return of Arctic cold is expected to grip all of New England during the first full week of February, bringing a prolonged stretch of well-below-normal temperatures, dangerous wind chills, and a pattern that favors cold over snow.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across the Northeast are favored to remain well below normal from Friday through the following Thursday as Arctic high pressure settles over the eastern U.S. At the same time, precipitation probabilities lean below average, signaling fewer opportunities for widespread snowstorms despite the deep cold.
In Maine, the harshest cold is expected statewide, with repeated subzero lows across the North Woods and interior, and teens along the coast. New Hampshire and Vermont will see similar impacts, especially in the North Country, Green Mountains, and higher elevations, where wind chills could fall well below zero during overnight and morning hours.
Across Massachusetts, interior areas including Worcester County and the Berkshires face the coldest nights, while Boston and the coast remain slightly moderated but still sharply colder than normal. Connecticut and Rhode Island will see frequent freezing mornings and limited daytime recovery, with inland valleys most vulnerable to the cold.
Despite the Arctic air, the dominant pattern favors dry air across New England, keeping snow chances below normal. Fast-moving clippers or brief lake-enhanced snow showers in northern areas remain possible, but major snowstorms are not favored at this time.
Residents should prepare for prolonged cold by protecting pipes, checking heating systems, and limiting outdoor exposure. Additional outlooks and advisories may be issued as confidence increases heading into early February.
