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An extreme cold watch has been issued for New York's Capital Region as dangerously low temperatures prepare to grip the area this weekend. The National Weather Service alert goes into effect Saturday evening (February 7) at 6 p.m. and will remain in place until Sunday afternoon (February 8) at 1 p.m.
Wind chills could plummet to 20 degrees below zero or lower across the Albany area, with some regions potentially experiencing wind chills between 25 and 35 degrees below zero. According to the National Weather Service, these dangerously cold conditions could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 to 30 minutes depending on the severity of the wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures.
The extreme cold is part of a polar air mass rushing into Upstate and Central New York starting after midnight Friday night. Before the deep freeze arrives, the weather should remain relatively quiet Thursday night and most of Friday, with filtered sunshine giving way to increasing clouds by Friday afternoon. Light snow is expected to develop Friday afternoon and continue through the early evening, with heavier snow possible late Friday night through Saturday morning.
The affected counties include Herkimer, Hamilton, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Schenectady, Albany, Greene and Ulster counties. Temperatures are forecast to fall into the single digits by dawn Saturday, with a northwesterly wind of 15 to 25 mph and higher gusts dragging wind chills down to between 15 and 20 degrees below zero for much of Central New York. The coldest spots could approach wind chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero.
Meteorologist Peter Hall predicts that while the initial snow accumulation Friday will likely be just a coating to an inch, the snow will pick up in intensity as temperatures plummet following the cold front around 2 a.m. Saturday. Most spots are forecast to receive 2 to 5 inches of snow through Saturday morning. The extremely cold temperatures will make salt ineffective in melting snow, leading to worse road conditions than the snowfall amount might suggest.
Residents planning to venture outdoors should dress in layers including a hat, face mask and gloves. The National Weather Service recommends covering all exposed skin and avoiding prolonged exposure to the cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. To prevent water pipes from freezing, residents should wrap, drain or allow them to drip slowly. Pets should be kept indoors as much as possible.
The wind should diminish to under 10 mph later Saturday night, though wind chills will still remain in the 10 to 20 degrees below zero range. Super Bowl Sunday is expected to bring a mixture of sunshine and clouds with flurries possible and afternoon temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees above zero.
Fire officials are warning residents to stay safe while heating their homes during the cold snap. Robert Mengel, President of the Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Association, cautioned against using ovens to heat homes, which can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and severe burns. Officials also recommend keeping space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable and having chimneys and flues cleaned and inspected annually.
The extreme cold watch may be upgraded to an extreme cold weather advisory or warning as conditions develop. Up to the minute weather information can be heard on NewsRadio 103.1 / 810 WGY.