Arctic Blast to Hit Northeastern US This Weekend

Over 100 million people in the northeastern United States are bracing for a seriously cold weekend, thanks to a hefty influx of arctic air sweeping down from eastern Canada. This chilling front is expected to bring snow to some regions quickly, followed by plunging temperatures and harsh winds.

This air mass doesn’t have much opportunity to warm up as it heads south. Much of the area is already locked in freezing weather, blanketed in snow, with rivers and lakes frozen solid. Even if this weekend doesn’t break any specific cold temperature records for the winter, many places will likely experience what feels like the coldest stretch of the season.

The National Weather Service is keeping a close eye on the situation and may issue an extreme cold alert, which is a rare occurrence for this region. Snow, strong winds, and dropping temperatures are expected to create travel challenges this weekend, leading to delays and cancellations at airports and dangerously slick roads extending from the Midwest to the Northeast.

The bulk of the severe weather is anticipated during the first half of the weekend, being the time when the heaviest snow and strongest winds occur. Interestingly, California’s Bay Area recently experienced over 30 earthquakes, the most significant being a 4.2 magnitude.

Snow is forecasted to begin falling from the Great Lakes down to the Appalachians on Friday. Areas close to the Great Lakes and on the west slopes of the Appalachians could see between 1 to 3 inches of snow. If temperatures hover just above freezing, initial snowfall could lead to slushy conditions, but as the arctic air moves in, that slush will likely freeze into powdery flakes, worsening travel conditions.

However, the eastern sections of the Appalachians in the mid-Atlantic might see significantly less snow. A few brief snow showers may occur, but little to no accumulation is expected, leading to dry, windy, and extremely cold conditions in those areas.

Meanwhile, parts of New England could receive over an inch of snow on Saturday as the incoming storm develops, creating localized bands of snow as the arctic front moves towards the Atlantic Ocean. AccuWeather predicts that some areas in southern and central New England might see between 4 to 5 inches of snow on Saturday.

Weather Timeline for Major Cities

Detroit will experience snow squalls from late Thursday night into midday Friday. After starting the day with temperatures reaching around 35°F, the numbers will rapidly drop to the 20s and teens, resulting in 1 to 3 inches of snow Friday, alongside hazardous commuting conditions created by freezing slush. The temperature will plummet to just above zero Saturday morning, reaching the mid-teens later in the day but dropping back near zero at night.

Further east, New York City can expect snowfall Friday evening, continuing overnight into Saturday morning at varying intensities. Temperatures will be in the 20s Friday night, dipping into the teens on Saturday, but the sun will return. For anyone heading to Manhattan for Saturday’s activities, be prepared for that bitter cold, as low temperatures will fall into the single digits Saturday night, with a similar pattern expected Sunday night.

New York City’s previous winter lows were recorded at 9°F during the last week of January, but this weekend’s temperatures could drop below that threshold.

In Boston, while snow is not expected until late Friday night, the following day is predicted to be quite wintry, with substantial snowfall and temperatures dropping into the teens by the afternoon. Saturday night could see temperatures again near freezing, but a drop to a season low of 5°F is anticipated by Sunday morning.

Winds and Life-Threatening Cold

As the arctic front moves through, expect north-northwest winds at 30 to 40 mph, which will cause temperatures to fall swiftly. The RealFeel® temperatures from AccuWeather could reach life-threatening levels, with actual readings plummeting into single digits or below zero throughout the Northeast.

Those venturing outdoors without the right gear risk severe frostbite and hypothermia. Outdoor enthusiasts like snowboarders and skiers should brace for harsh and potentially dangerous conditions.

Winds should ease off by the afternoon, making Sunday calmer than the previous days, though it will still start with frigid temperatures. However, some relief might come with midday sun.

Sunday evening should see clear skies in the Northeast, even as temperatures continue to drop. Additionally, following Winter Storm Fern, tens of thousands in the Southeast are still experiencing power outages. Fortunately, this arctic outbreak is not expected to push deeply into the southern states, remaining primarily over Florida, which has already faced significant damage from previous cold spells.

As warm air begins to accumulate across the northern Rockies and Great Plains by Sunday, new snowfall, along with scattered freezing rain and drizzle, is expected along the Great Lakes, likely moving southeast into parts of the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians.

Travelers can anticipate slippery conditions across the Mid-Atlantic from Sunday night into Monday morning.