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North Country Towns Endure Lengthy Freezing Streaks
Saranac Lake, Newcomb, and other areas in New York and Vermont have spent nearly a month below freezing.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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Locations in the North Country like Saranac Lake, N.Y., and Newcomb, N.Y., have spent almost an entire month below freezing, with streaks running as long as 21 days in Burlington, Plattsburgh, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury. The below-freezing conditions have been less persistent in Southern Vermont, allowing for intermittent thawing in places like Rutland, Lebanon, and Bennington.
Why it matters
The extended freezing temperatures have created challenging conditions for residents in the affected areas, impacting daily life, transportation, and infrastructure. Prolonged cold snaps can also have ecological impacts and strain energy resources as people rely more on heating.
The details
The cold streaks began in mid-January after a brief January thaw, with Saranac Lake's streak starting on January 16, Newcomb's on January 17, and the streaks in Burlington, Plattsburgh, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury all beginning on January 23. Rutland, Lebanon, and Bennington experienced some intermittent thawing during this period.
- The Saranac Lake streak started on January 16.
- The Newcomb streak started on January 17.
- The Massena streak started on January 18.
- The Burlington, Plattsburgh, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury streaks all started on January 23.
- The Rutland streak started on January 23 and ended on February 2.
The players
Saranac Lake
A town in New York's North Country that has experienced an almost month-long streak of below-freezing temperatures.
Newcomb
A town in New York's North Country that has also endured an almost month-long streak of below-freezing temperatures.
Burlington
A city in Vermont that has had a 21-day streak of temperatures below freezing.
Plattsburgh
A city in New York that has had a 21-day streak of temperatures below freezing.
Montpelier
The capital city of Vermont that has had a 21-day streak of temperatures below freezing.
St. Johnsbury
A town in Vermont that has had a 21-day streak of temperatures below freezing.
Rutland
A city in Vermont that experienced some intermittent thawing during the cold stretch.
Lebanon
A city in Vermont that experienced some intermittent thawing during the cold stretch.
Bennington
A town in Vermont that experienced some intermittent thawing during the cold stretch.
What’s next
Forecasters predict the below-freezing temperatures will continue for a few more days before a thaw arrives next week, potentially ending the lengthy cold streaks.
The takeaway
The extended freezing temperatures have created challenging conditions for residents in the affected areas, underscoring the need for communities to be prepared for prolonged cold snaps and their potential impacts on daily life, transportation, infrastructure, and energy resources.
