Dangerous Cold Grips Northeastern US

Arctic air and strong winds bring life-threatening wind chills as low as -20 degrees.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A powerful winter storm has swept through the Northeastern United States, bringing the coldest air of the season and dangerously low wind chills. Temperatures in New York City are expected to reach only around 20 degrees, but the wind chill will make it feel as low as -10 in the city and even colder in some upstate areas. Forecasters warn that in these conditions, hypothermia can set in within minutes, and the region's homeless population is at high risk. The deep freeze has already claimed 17 lives in New York City this winter, with the medical examiner determining that at least 5 of those deaths were weather-related.

Why it matters

The extreme cold poses a serious threat to public health and safety, especially for vulnerable populations like the homeless. It also strains emergency services and infrastructure, and can have wider economic impacts. This winter storm is part of a broader trend of increasingly severe winter weather events driven by climate change.

The details

The arctic air mass sweeping into the region is bringing wind chills as low as -20 degrees in some areas. Gusty winds are the main driver of the life-threatening conditions, with AccuWeather warning that anyone not properly protected could develop frostbite and hypothermia in just 30 minutes. The deep freeze has already claimed 17 lives in New York City this winter, with the medical examiner linking at least 5 of those deaths directly to the weather.

  • The coldest air of the season arrived in the region on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Jon Porter

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist.

Tom Kines

AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

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What they’re saying

“The deep freeze is returning to the northeastern United States this weekend. The combination of Arctic air and gusty winds could make it feel colder than any other point so far this winter for many in the region.”

— Jon Porter, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist

“If you're not well protected, if you're out there for more than half an hour, you're going to be in trouble with frostbite and hypothermia.”

— Tom Kines, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

What’s next

Authorities are urging residents to limit time outdoors, dress warmly, and check on vulnerable neighbors during the dangerous cold snap. Emergency shelters are expanding capacity to accommodate the region's homeless population.

The takeaway

This extreme winter weather event highlights the growing threat of climate change-driven severe storms and the need for communities to improve preparedness and support for vulnerable populations. Policymakers must take action to address the root causes of these worsening weather patterns.