Arctic Blast Brings Life Threatening Cold To Northeast

As winter barrels through the Northeast and stretches down into the Carolinas, millions of Americans are bracing for a weekend of perilous cold, biting winds, and hazardous travel. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a sweeping series of Extreme Cold Warnings and Cold Weather Advisories from the mountains of North Carolina all the way to the North Country of New York and across to coastal New Jersey, underscoring the severity of the arctic blast set to grip the region from Friday, February 6, 2026, through Sunday, February 8, 2026.

According to the NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, a cold weather advisory was posted at 12:56 a.m. Friday for Yancey and Mitchell counties in North Carolina, effective from 1 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday. Residents there are facing northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching a staggering 55 to 60 mph—and up to 75 mph on ridgetops. Above 3,500 feet, wind chills are expected to plummet to 15 degrees below zero, or even lower atop the highest peaks. The NWS warned, "Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken."

Farther north, the situation grows even more dire. The Finger Lakes and Central New York are preparing for widespread snow today, followed by a sharp arctic blast tonight that will plunge wind chills well below zero. As reported by FingerLakes1.com, what began as an Extreme Cold Watch has been upgraded to Extreme Cold Warnings in many areas—a clear signal of the dangerous cold threat looming over the weekend. The NWS expects wind chills as low as 25 to 30 below zero in parts of the region, with temperatures dropping rapidly behind the front late Friday night, from the upper teens and low 20s to near zero by daybreak Saturday. Highs on Saturday will barely scratch the single digits, and Saturday night lows could dip to between 15 below and zero in the coldest spots. In those conditions, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in just 15 to 30 minutes.

Snowfall will add to the hazards. Across Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Schuyler, Yates, and Onondaga counties, 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected through tonight, with higher totals—up to 4 to 7 inches—possible along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, and Ontario counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory with 3 to 6 inches possible. Winds gusting 30 to 40 mph will create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and making travel treacherous, especially during the Friday evening commute and overnight hours. The lake effect snow machine will keep churning Saturday, with another inch or two expected inland and localized higher totals where lake bands persist.

Residents throughout the region are being urged to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and cover all exposed skin. Officials also recommend checking on elderly neighbors, keeping pets indoors, and taking precautions to prevent frozen pipes. As FingerLakes1.com notes, "This weekend will bring some of the harshest winter conditions of the season across the Finger Lakes and Central New York." Gradual improvement is expected next week as the coldest air shifts east and temperatures moderate.

In New Jersey, the National Weather Service issued an Extreme Cold Warning at 1:34 a.m. Friday for Salem, Ocean, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, and Burlington counties, effective from 3 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday. The forecast there calls for dangerously cold wind chills as low as 14 degrees below zero, with the threat of damaging winds toppling trees and power lines and causing widespread outages. The NWS cautioned, "Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken." Residents are advised to stay in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm, avoid windows, and watch for falling debris. If venturing outside is unavoidable, the advice is clear: dress in layers—including a hat, face mask, and gloves—and use extreme caution while driving.

Upstate, the North Country of New York faces perhaps the most brutal conditions of all. The NWS issued an Extreme Cold Warning at 12:19 a.m. Friday for St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties, valid from 7 a.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday. Here, wind chills are forecast to plunge to between 25 and 40 degrees below zero—so cold that frostbite can set in on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. The NWS warned, "Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures." Residents are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve and, if they must go out, to dress in several layers, cover exposed skin, and inform someone of their whereabouts. Gloves, scarves, and hats are essential to retain body heat, and pets should be kept indoors as much as possible.

Meanwhile, the Binghamton area and surrounding regions are under an Extreme Cold Warning from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, with both days declared FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS by WBNG. Friday will see increasing clouds and a 40% chance of snow late, with winds out of the southwest at 5-10 mph and highs in the mid-20s. By Friday night, snow showers and breezy northwest winds (15-25 mph, gusting to 40 mph) will drive lows down to between -5 and 2 degrees. Saturday will be especially brutal: dangerous wind chills, snow showers in the morning, and highs ranging from -4 to 3 degrees. Winds will gust over 40 mph, raising the risk of isolated power outages. Saturday night will remain cloudy and breezy, with lows between -15 and -5 degrees and wind chills nearing 30 below. Sunday morning will bring continued dangerous wind chills before conditions begin to improve by afternoon.

Looking ahead, Monday and Tuesday will bring some relief, with highs rebounding into the teens and mid-20s, and a mix of sun and clouds. But for now, the focus is on surviving a weekend of extreme cold that will test the resilience and preparedness of communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

With the NWS emphasizing the difference between a cold weather advisory, extreme cold watch, and extreme cold warning—"Be Aware," "Be Prepared," and "Take Action!" respectively—the message is unmistakable: take this cold seriously. Whether it’s the risk of frostbite in minutes, power outages from downed trees, or hazardous travel on snow-covered roads, the weekend’s weather is not to be underestimated. For those in the path of this arctic blast, vigilance, preparation, and caution are the best defenses against winter’s full fury.