Boston, January 23, 2026
Boston has declared a cold emergency as the city prepares for dangerously low temperatures and wind chills plummeting to -10°F. The emergency, set from January 23 to January 25, will see community centers opened as warming centers for vulnerable residents. Mayor Michelle Wu emphasizes the need for community vigilance during this severe weather, which is part of a broader winter storm affecting much of the eastern United States, prompting risks of frostbite and hypothermia.
Boston
Cold Emergency Declared as Brutal Arctic Air Grips City
Boston has declared a cold emergency, effective from Friday, January 23, through Sunday, January 25, 2026. The city is bracing for a brutally cold weather event, with wind chills expected to plummet to as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit Friday night into Saturday. In response, community centers across the city are being activated as warming centers to provide refuge for residents during this period of extreme cold.
Immediate Impact and Public Safety
The declaration underscores the serious nature of the impending conditions. Forecasters indicate that an Arctic air mass is descending upon the region, bringing with it dangerously low wind chill values. The most severe conditions are anticipated between Friday night and Saturday morning. Such temperatures carry a substantial risk, increasing concerns for incidents of frostbite and hypothermia for those exposed to the elements.
Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the importance of community vigilance, advising residents to plan ahead, stay warm, and check on vulnerable neighbors. City departments are working continuously to ensure that all Boston residents have access to necessary resources during this cold emergency.
Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) locations will serve as warming centers during their regular operating hours, offering a vital lifeline to those most susceptible to the cold. The city’s threshold for declaring a cold emergency is defined as one day or more of -10°F or below observed wind chill.
Broader Winter Storm Threat and National Context
This localized cold emergency in Boston is part of a larger, dynamic winter storm system currently impacting a significant portion of the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Forecasts suggest a wide-ranging event, from a crippling ice storm stretching from Texas through parts of the South, to potentially a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. The system is expected to deliver a final surge of bitterly cold air, with wind chills potentially reaching as low as minus-50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Across the nation, approximately 230 million people are expected to face temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, with around 150 million likely to experience snow and ice. This widespread weather phenomenon is being attributed by meteorologists to a stretched polar vortex, influenced by factors such as warm Arctic waters and cold continental land. The frigid conditions are anticipated to persist through the remainder of January and into early February, leading to concerns about prolonged ice and snow accumulation and potential power outages.
Echoes of Past Winters
While the current conditions present immediate challenges, severe cold snaps are a recurring aspect of winter in North America, demanding collective resilience and preparation. In early February 2023, an “extremely dangerous” Arctic blast impacted the northern US and Canada, leading to school cancellations in parts of the northeast, including Boston. Similarly, January 2024 saw a bitter cold front place more than 95 million people across 25 states under wind chill warnings, advisories, or watches. These past events serve as a reminder of the recurrent nature of such powerful atmospheric shifts and the ongoing need for communities to prepare and respond with care for one another.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Boston Cold Emergency
- What are the dates of the Boston cold emergency?
- The Boston cold emergency is in effect from Friday, January 23, through Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- What wind chill temperatures are expected in Boston?
- Boston is forecasted to experience wind chills reaching as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit Friday night into Saturday.
- What facilities will be activated as warming centers?
- Community centers across Boston, specifically Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) locations, will be activated as warming centers during their normal operating hours.
- What is the primary cause of this cold weather?
- The bitterly cold temperatures are attributed to an Arctic air mass.
- What are the risks associated with these wind chill temperatures?
- Due to the low temperatures, there is an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite for certain individuals, such as those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, and young children. Cold weather may also exacerbate health issues in high-risk populations.
- Is this cold weather event limited to Boston?
- No, this localized cold emergency in Boston is part of a larger, dynamic winter storm system currently impacting a significant portion of the eastern two-thirds of the United States.
Key Features of the Boston Cold Emergency
| Feature | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration Period | Friday, January 23, through Sunday, January 25, 2026 | Boston City-level |
| Expected Wind Chill | As low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit | Boston City-level |
| Warming Centers | Community centers (BCYF locations) activated during normal operating hours | Boston City-level |
| Primary Cause | Arctic air mass | Regional (New England, parts of US) |
| Associated Risks | Increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite, exacerbation of health issues | Local and affected populations |
| Broader Weather System | Part of a larger winter storm impacting eastern two-thirds of the U.S. | Nationwide |
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