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Dangerously cold temperatures and life-threatening wind chills are set to grip Central New York this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue extreme cold warnings across multiple counties.
The warnings take effect Saturday (February 7) morning at 7 a.m. and remain in place until Sunday (February 8) afternoon at 1 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, wind chills could plummet to between 25 and 35 degrees below zero in Herkimer, Hamilton, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, Schenectady, Albany, Greene and Ulster counties.
The most severe conditions are expected in the North Country, where St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton and Essex counties face wind chills as low as 40 degrees below zero.
At these temperatures, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. The National Weather Service warns that frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these extreme conditions.
The arctic blast begins after midnight Friday night, with temperatures dropping into the single digits by dawn Saturday. Meteorologist Peter Hall reports that northwesterly winds of 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts will push wind chills down to between 15 and 20 degrees below zero across much of Central New York by sunrise Saturday.
Before the deep freeze arrives, light snow is expected Friday afternoon through early evening, with heavier snow developing overnight as temperatures plummet. Hall forecasts 2 to 5 inches of accumulation through Saturday morning, with road conditions becoming particularly hazardous as salt becomes ineffective in such extreme cold.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the expected snowfall, which will require multiple passes by snowplows to maintain roadways.
The National Weather Service urges residents to stay indoors until conditions improve. Those who must venture outside should dress in layers, wearing a hat, face mask and gloves to prevent heat loss. Several layers of clothing provide better insulation than a single heavy coat.
Residents should also take precautions to prevent frozen pipes by wrapping them, allowing them to drip slowly, or draining them. Pets should be kept indoors as much as possible during the extreme cold.
Wind speeds are expected to diminish to under 10 mph later Saturday night, though wind chills will still range from 10 to 20 degrees below zero. Super Bowl Sunday will bring a mixture of sunshine and clouds with possible flurries and afternoon temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees above zero.
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