Hartford, Connecticut – A renewed surge of Arctic air is expected to settle over Connecticut and Rhode Island during the first full week of February, bringing sharply colder temperatures, subzero wind chills, and a quieter pattern for snow as the cold tightens its grip.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Southern New England are favored to run well below normal from Friday through the following Thursday as Arctic high pressure expands across the eastern U.S. Precipitation probabilities during the same period are leaning below average, signaling fewer opportunities for widespread snowstorms despite the colder setup.
In Connecticut, inland areas including Hartford County and the Litchfield Hills are most likely to see the coldest nights, with lows dropping into the single digits or below zero at times. Daytime highs may struggle to climb out of the teens during the coldest stretch. Along the shoreline, including New Haven and New London, conditions will be slightly moderated but still notably colder than seasonal norms. In Rhode Island, Providence and interior communities will face bitter mornings and limited daytime recovery, while coastal areas see cold, gusty conditions with low wind chills.
The prevailing Arctic pattern favors dry air across the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic, reducing the likelihood of major snowstorms. Still, quick-moving clippers or offshore systems could bring brief snow or light accumulations with little advance notice.
Residents should prepare for prolonged cold by protecting pipes, checking heating systems, and limiting time outdoors during the coldest periods. Outlooks will continue to be refined as early February approaches, and additional advisories could be issued if storm tracks shift.
