Dangerous -10 to -25 wind chills grip Mass. as arctic air moves in; potential weekend storm looms
A blast of arctic air will bring dangerously cold conditions to Massachusetts tonight and Friday, with wind chills plunging between -10 to -20 degrees across much of the state and potentially reaching -25 degrees over higher elevations.
The National Weather Service has issued Cold Weather Advisories for nearly all of Massachusetts from 7 p.m. tonight until 11 a.m. Friday, with the advisories now expanded to include Cape Cod. Gusty west-northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph will accompany the arctic air mass, creating hazardous conditions. Residents are advised to limit time outdoors and dress in layers, as frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Temperatures tonight will range from -5 to +5 degrees across most of the state, with the coldest readings expected in western and central Massachusetts. Friday night will bring even more severe conditions, with lows between zero and -10 degrees away from the immediate coast. Wind chills will again drop to -10 to -20 degrees late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Boston is expected to see a high of 23 degrees and a low of 1 degree today, with mostly sunny conditions. Pittsfield will experience the coldest temperatures, with a high of 15 degrees and a low of -8 degrees. Worcester, Springfield, and Hyannis will see highs in the upper teens to mid-20s.
The forecast calls for dry weather through Saturday, with mostly sunny days and mainly clear nights. While winds will shift more westerly and diminish somewhat during the day Friday, the bitter cold will remain entrenched across the region. Saturday will offer the best conditions for outdoor activities before a potential storm arrives Sunday, though temperatures will remain well below normal for late January.
Forecasters are monitoring a potential winter storm for Sunday into Sunday night. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Cape Cod and the Islands from late Saturday night through Sunday night. However, recent forecast models suggest the storm may track further offshore than previously expected, which would confine the highest winds and heaviest snowfall to the southern Cape and Islands.
A Coastal Flood Watch has also been issued for the eastern Massachusetts coastline from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. High astronomical tides combined with a 1 to 3 foot storm surge and strong north/northeast winds could bring minor to moderate coastal flooding during high tides Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Monday around midday.
The potential coastal storm could bring storm-force northeast winds gusting to 50-55 mph over the outer waters on Sunday, with 40-50 mph gusts possible over nearshore waters. This would create dangerous marine conditions, with seas building to over 20 feet east of Cape Cod. Significant beach and dune erosion is expected, especially in vulnerable areas like Newburyport/Plum Island, Sandwich, Chatham, and Edgartown.
By Monday, conditions should begin to improve as the storm system moves away from the region, though windy conditions with gusts up to 30 mph may linger. Temperatures will remain below normal through the early part of next week, with the long-term pattern suggesting below-normal temperatures may continue through the first week of February across much of New England.
Residents of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands should monitor the developing coastal storm closely. While uncertainty remains about the exact track and intensity, preparations should be made for potential strong winds, accumulating snow, and coastal flooding in these areas.
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