Conditions on Mount Washington could cause frostbite in less than five minutes
Forecasters with the Mount Washington Observatory are warning that potentially record-cold temperatures and hurricane-force winds are expected on Mount Washington on Thursday.
On Wednesday, officials with the observatory said they are bracing for an “extreme cold and wind event” on the mountain.
According to the Higher Summits Forecast on the observatory website, temperatures on Mount Washington are expected to “free-fall” Wednesday night and through the day on Thursday, bottoming out Thursday night.
Observatory officials said the cold air mass will take a run at the day’s record low of 21°F below, which was set in 1976 and equaled in 1989. They said, depending on the timing of the coldest air, the daily record low on Friday will also be challenged, which is also 21°F below set in 1989.
In addition to dangerously cold temperatures, winds will also ramp up Wednesday night and throughout Thursday. Officials said hurricane-force winds are expected throughout Thursday, with gusts over 100 mph.
Forecasters said the high winds will make the cold air feel even colder on exposed skin, and frostbite could develop in less than 5 minutes. They have issued a wind chill warning that will take effect at 11 a.m. on Thursday and remain in effect until 1 p.m. on Friday.
Read the full Higher Summits Forecast here.
