Boston, Massachusetts – New England is bracing for a prolonged stretch of severe winter cold as Arctic air tightens its grip across the region, with little sign of meaningful relief through the end of January and into early February. Temperatures are expected to plunge this weekend, with widespread subzero lows across interior areas and bitter cold reaching coastal cities, creating dangerous conditions for travel, utilities, and daily routines.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the pattern from Jan. 27 through early February strongly favors much below normal temperatures across all of New England. This Arctic air mass is part of a larger national outbreak driving extreme cold across the Midwest and Northeast, while anchoring the coldest anomalies from Maine through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
The impacts will be felt statewide. Northern New England faces sustained subzero temperatures and dangerous wind chills, while southern New England contends with icy roads, frozen pipes, and limited daytime warming. Periodic snow and blowing snow are expected, especially across higher terrain and interior zones, creating slick travel on I-95, I-90, I-93, I-84, and secondary roads. Rapid temperature drops also raise the risk of frost quakes and infrastructure strain.
While brief moderation is possible at times, no sustained warm-up is expected before Feb. 2. Residents are urged to limit outdoor exposure, protect plumbing, prepare vehicles for extreme cold, and remain alert as additional winter weather advisories and cold alerts may be issued while this Arctic pattern remains firmly in place across New England.
