Boston, Massachusetts – New England shifts sharply into a dangerous cold pattern for the Feb 5–9 stretch, with subzero temperatures becoming increasingly common overnight and daytime highs struggling to climb out of the teens in many areas. The cold will be the dominant threat across the region, outweighing any concerns for snow or ice as precipitation chances remain limited.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA outlooks, Arctic air is expected to remain locked over New England, driving temperatures well below normal from Maine through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Overnight lows are expected to fall below zero across interior sections, while coastal areas face biting wind chills that may dip into the single digits or below zero at times. The cold air mass extends south along the I-95 corridor, reinforcing a prolonged period of dangerous exposure risk.
In Boston, Manchester, Portland, and Worcester, daytime highs are expected to remain 10 to 20 degrees below seasonal averages, with mornings posing the greatest risk due to wind chills. While snow chances remain limited, untreated roads and sidewalks may develop patches of ice during the coldest hours.
The renewed surge of Arctic cold comes after recent weeks in which nearly 100 temperature-related deaths have been reported across southern states, underscoring the nationwide risk tied to prolonged cold exposure. Emergency managers urge residents to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, protect exposed pipes, and check on elderly neighbors and those without reliable heat.
The subzero pattern is expected to persist through the stretch, with additional cold weather advisories or warnings likely as the Arctic air remains firmly in place.
