Wind Chill Advisory

Wind Chill Advisory

Situation:

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting extreme cold across the region beginning Thursday night and lasting into Friday morning. Dangerously cold wind chills of 10 to 25 below zero are forecast as overnight lows drop into the single digits to several degrees below-zero with sustained northwest winds of 20-30 mph and gusts of up to 60 to 65 mph possible Thursday night between 8 PM and 4 AM.

Accumulating snow is forecast starting Friday night into Saturday morning. Snowfall totals could reach 1-3 inches along the coast and 3-6 inches across interior New England, with up to 8 inches possible over high terrain such as the Berkshires. Snow is expected to change over to rain during the day on Saturday.

 

Impacts:

Impacts related to extreme cold may include:

Potentially life-threatening wind chills
Frostbite and hypothermia possible for those without proper protection from the cold
Possible increase in fires from alternative heating sources or people trying to thaw frozen pipes with blow torches
Possible carbon monoxide poisoning from alternative heating sources
Possible vehicle failure
Possible water main breaks and pipe bursts
 

Impacts related to gusty winds may include:

Isolated power outages
Downed tree limbs
 

Preparedness and Safety Information
Safety and preparedness tips for extreme cold are available at:
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/cold/

Winter storm preparedness and safety information is available at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/winter-storms/
Power outage preparedness and safety information is available at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/emergencies/power-outage/