Baby, it’s gonna be cold outside as front settles in
A bone-chilling cold snap has the Bay State in its grip, and city officials are warning residents to be prepared, bundle up and keep an eye on their neighbors.
“This is an air mass from the Arctic, and it’s going to feel that way,” National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Belk said. “You’re going to be looking at high temperatures that are a good 10 degrees below what the average low temperature should be.” Daily highs aren’t expected to rise above 20 degrees into next week and overnight lows will dip into the single digits beginning tonight, when the wind chill will have it feeling like it’s well below zero in cities and towns statewide, weather experts said.
Daily high temperatures for the remainder of the week are expected to hit 12 degrees tomorrow, 16 on Friday, 18 on Saturday and 14 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The dangerously cold, single-digit overnight lows will also remain until New Year’s Day, when the overnight low could drop as low as minus 1.
Recognizing that in those conditions, frostbite can take hold in just 30 minutes, Mayor Martin J. Walsh is asking city residents to check in on their elderly or disabled neighbors and be mindful of homeless people who may need help. He also urged residents to be careful when using space heaters, which present a fire hazard.
“We want to make sure each and every Boston resident will be safe and warm when bitterly cold weather arrives this week,” Walsh said in a statement yesterday. “In times like these, it’s vital for residents to look out for one another, and I encourage all Bostonians to reach out to the City if they or their neighbors need help this winter season. City workers will be constantly vigilant to ensure the safety of all.”
Anyone heading out into the weather is reminded to wear a hat, gloves and several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. They should also watch for signs of frostbite, which include the loss of feeling in the extremities — fingers, toes, ear lobes and the tip of the nose.
Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness and exhaustion.
Area residents looking for a warm place to stay during the day can go to Boston Centers for Youth & Families community centers, locations and hours for which can be found on the city’s website, www.boston.gov.
The city’s emergency shelters are open 24 hours and will accept any person in need. Men can go to the shelter located at 112 Southampton St., and women should go to the Woods-Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave.