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Extreme cold weather due on Cape Cod: Wind chill warning issued, records could be broken

Batten down the hatches, Cape Cod. Some of the coldest weather in years is set to overspread the peninsula Friday into Saturday, exacerbated by gusty winds that will drive wind chills into the very dangerous territory of 25 to 35 degrees below zero

According to the forecast discussion issued Friday morning by the National Weather Service Boston office:

"A dangerously cold Arctic airmass will continue to invade into Southern New England tonight, to levels that have been uncommonly observed in Southern New England, most recently around Valentines Day of 2016. Recent model guidance overnight trended colder. It is very possible that long-standing low temperature records for the date could be broken at our long-term climate sites."

A wind chill warning is in effect on Cape Cod from 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 until 10 a.m. on Saturday.
A wind chill warning is in effect on Cape Cod from 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 until 10 a.m. on Saturday.

 

More:'Dangerously cold' weather forecast: Arctic chill headed for Cape Cod this weekend

According to the National Weather Service, the intense cold will be "accompanied by a couple periods of strong northwest wind gusts. The main hazards include dangerously low wind chills and strong winds in and of themselves capable of isolated damage."

According to a Hy-Line Cruises Twitter alert, the Friday 1:25 p.m. ferry trip from Hyannis to Nantucket and the Friday 3 p.m. ferry trip from Nantucket to Hyannis were cancelled due to the weather.

A travel advisory on the Steamship Authority website states: "Cancellations are possible on the Nantucket route, but all customers should take extreme caution while traveling and protect themselves against the cold. We will make every effort to maintain service, but it is possible mechanical-related delays or disruptions will occur due to the cold."

The Steamship is waiving change and cancellation fees for all travel on Saturday because of the expected weather conditions.

Ocean effect snow showers are likely on the Outer Cape, mainly from Provincetown to Chatham, perhaps dropping a couple of inches "which will likely blow around easily due to the degree of colder air," according to the National Weather Service.

A wind chill warning is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. During that time frame, dangerously cold wind chills and strong winds are expected, according to the National Weather Service. Northwest winds are expected to gust between 35 mph and 55 mph, producing wind chills of between 25 to 35 below zero. The lowest wind chill temperatures will occur Friday night into Saturday morning.

Wind chills from the cold weather could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind chills from the cold weather could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

 

"The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes," stated the National Weather Service, urging people to "avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves."

More:How to stay safe when record cold temperatures hit New England

The intense cold will be relatively short-lived on Cape Cod. Temperatures are expected to rebound quickly on Sunday and that warming trend will continue into next week.

Here is the Hyannis forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a temperature falling to around 12 by 5 p.m. Wind chill values as low as minus 7. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around minus 4. Wind chill values as low as minus 28. Windy, with a northwest wind 22 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 19. Wind chill values as low as minus 29. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Saturday night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 16. Wind chill values as low as minus 3. West wind 10 to 14 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a southwest wind 18 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Sunday night: A slight chance of rain after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 13 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Extreme cold weather in Cape Cod forecast: Wind chill warning issued