Arctic Wind Chills Slam New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England as Sub-Zero Air and Storm Risks Build Toward Mid-February

NORTHEAST UNITED STATES — A dangerous surge of Arctic air is gripping the Northeast this weekend, driving wind chills into the single digits and below zero across large portions of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New England, with even colder conditions expected in higher elevations.

Despite sunshine in many areas, temperatures have continued falling after sunrise, and gusty winds are making conditions feel far colder than thermometers suggest. This is only the beginning of a broader winter pattern that meteorologists are now closely watching as mid-February approaches.

Wind Chills Drop Into Single Digits and Below Zero Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Early Saturday data shows wind chills in the single digits to near zero across much of the region, with pockets dipping below zero in higher terrain and inland locations.

Upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania: Sub-zero wind chills common
Central Pennsylvania, western Maryland: Single digits, locally below zero
New Jersey and coastal Mid-Atlantic: Teens to single digits, colder inland
New England interior: Rapidly falling wind chills with increasing gusts

While overnight temperatures did not fall quite as fast as initially forecast, steady cold advection after sunrise has kept wind chills suppressed through the morning hours.

Powerful Wind Gusts Making Conditions Dangerous

Strong winds are a major factor in today’s dangerous feel. Gusts have already reached:

48 mph at Reagan National Airport
46 mph at Dulles International Airport
49 mph at Baltimore/Washington International Airport

Peak wind gusts are expected late morning through mid-afternoon, when 50 to 60 mph gusts are possible in exposed areas. These winds not only worsen wind chills but also increase the risk of downed tree limbs and scattered power issues.

Extreme Arctic Core Targets Higher Elevations

The most severe cold is focused over elevated terrain. Forecast data shows the coldest wind chill in the Northeast expected at Hunter Mountain, New York, where values may plunge near –50°F.

Across the Adirondacks, Catskills, Green Mountains, and White Mountains, wind chills of –30°F to –40°F are likely overnight into Sunday morning, approaching or threatening local records in some locations.

Why This Cold Is So Persistent

Upper-air pattern analysis shows a strong blocking high pressure system locking Arctic air into the eastern United States. Instead of quickly exiting, cold air is being reinforced from Canada while the jet stream remains suppressed.

This setup explains why:

Cold air is lingering longer than typical
Temperatures continue falling even during daylight
Wind remains a constant aggravating factor

Mid-February Storm Signal Gaining Attention

Beyond the immediate cold, forecasters are increasingly focused on February 13–17, when model guidance suggests a more organized winter storm threat.

Key signals from the data:

500mb pattern tightening, favoring storm consolidation
Cold air firmly in place across the interior Northeast
Energy potentially redeveloping along the East Coast
Snow favored inland, with mixing closer to the coast

While confidence is still moderate, the pattern increasingly supports a front-end thump of snow for interior areas of Pennsylvania, New York, and New England, followed by possible mixed precipitation closer to the coast depending on storm track.

Nothing is locked in yet — but this timeframe has been consistently flagged across multiple model runs.

What Residents Should Know Right Now

Limit time outdoors during peak wind conditions
Dress for wind chill, not air temperature
Secure loose outdoor items ahead of strong gusts
Monitor forecasts closely for mid-February storm updates

This Arctic blast is a reminder that winter is far from finished across the Northeast. With extreme cold already in place and storm signals increasing later this month, residents should stay weather-aware in the days ahead.

For continued winter weather tracking, regional breakdowns, and storm updates, follow ongoing coverage at WaldronNews.com.