Forecasters say it will feel close to -90° on Mount Washington and warned strong winds will not be limited to summits
Forecasters and rescuers are warning hikers, climbers, and skiers to use extreme caution or avoid the outdoors altogether this weekend as a dangerous blast of cold weather moves through the Northeast.
The powerful Arctic cold front is expected to hit the region beginning Friday night and last through Sunday morning.
Ahead of the cold front arriving, members of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region Search and Rescue issued a warning on social media and provided tips for outdoors enthusiasts.
They said Saturday’s forecast includes temperatures in the negative 20s, winds over 75 mph with gusts over mph, and wind chills approaching -90°F.
“This is not normal winter cold,” stated the Lakes Region SAR post. “In conditions like this, rescue may be delayed by many hours due to weather, access, and responder safety. A minor injury or gear issue can quickly become life-threatening if you can’t keep moving or stay warm. Plan as if self-rescue is your only option.”
They recommeded that anyone who does venture outdoors should stay below treeline, keep hikes short, and closely monitor themselves and partners for hypothermia and frostbite.
The Mount Washington Observatory has issued an Extreme Cold Warning from 6 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday, with a Wind Chill Warning remaining in place through noon on Sunday.
High winds with gusts over 100 mph are expected on Mount Washington throughout Friday night and all day Saturday.
The observatory’s forecasters warned the gusty conditions will not be limited to summits.
They said 4,000 footers can expect winds of 40 to 50 mph, gusting to 70 mph. That is expected to increase to upwards of 80 mph on Friday afternoon and then through the day on Saturday.
Forecasters said even at trailheads, people can expect winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph Friday, building to 45 mph overnight and around 35 mph for Saturday before easing Saturday night.
Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to “freefall.” And when combined with the strong winds, conditions will feel significantly colder than the already frigid temperatures.
Mount Washington forecasters said that by the time things bottom out, it will feel close to -90° F, and they said frostbite could develop in about a minute or two on exposed skin.
As with the winds, the dangerous wind chill will not be limited to higher terrain, they said. Lower elevations and neighboring valleys will also see temperatures plunge overnight and remain cold on Saturday. Trailheads on Friday night and through Saturday will feel between -30° F and -40° F on exposed skin, with frostbite developing in 10 minutes or less.
“Bottom line,” stated the Mount Washington forecast, “[is] exposure risks will persist from the moment you leave your car until you return to it.”
For those who do venture outdoors, Mount Washington officials had several recommendations.
They said people should make sure to have someone check for any exposed skin or use a mirror or selfie cam to look for any gaps or holes in clothing, especially around where gear meets, like goggles around balaclavas or jackets with pants or gloves with coats. It is far easier to maintain heat than it is to regenerate it.
Also, people should bear in mind that cold ambient air temperatures will affect anything with batteries, shortening their available power, possibly affecting their functionality, or possibly not powering items at all.
Fuels, like those used with camp stoves, may struggle to operate or fail to operate as their pressurization changes or the fuel starts to gel.
Water, even when insulated, can freeze and could lead to dehydration. Even foods could be difficult to chew or consume as they harden or freeze.
Also, with each intake and output, if clothing is shifted or removed, you lose heat and increase exposure risks.
Motorized vehicles left at trailheads could also see their batteries affected, and their fuels and fluids could also gel or freeze.
