The Arctic air mass sweeping across New England this week is a bit of a shock to the system, with wind chills plummeting into the single digits and subzero for many areas. While widespread snow isn’t in the cards for most, our mountains are making up for it with upslope snow showers adding fresh powder for ski and snowmobile enthusiasts.
High temperatures will only reach the teens and 20s across much of New England Tuesday, with the South Coast perhaps able to touch 30°F. Add in northwest winds gusting 35 to 45 mph, and it will feel much colder, with wind chills as low as -5°F in the North Country and single digits across the rest of the region. These conditions persist into Wednesday, making it critical to bundle up, especially for the kids at the bus stop or outdoor activities.
The mountains of Vermont and northern New Hampshire, as well as the higher elevations of far northern Maine, are benefiting from this pattern. Northwest-facing slopes, including Jay Peak, Smugglers’ Notch, and Bolton, are likely to see 6–12 inches of new snow by midweek. Even southern Vermont’s slopes and parts of the Berkshires are likely to pick up 2–4 inches.
Looking ahead, the bitter cold eases slightly by Friday, with highs climbing into the 20s and 30s. Winds will also relax somewhat, making it feel less biting as we head into the weekend. The question remains: will the rest of New England see significant snow this week? For now, outside the mountains, any snow is limited to flurries or light ocean-effect snow near Cape Cod. Matt breaks down what the rest of January has in store in “On the Horizon – Monthly Forecast“.
