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Extreme Cold Grips Boston

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The last time it was this cold in Boston, Sputnik hadn't even gone up yet. When temperatures dropped to 9 degrees below zero last night it became the coldest day in the city since 1957, and the coldest Valentines Day to date.

Through noon Sunday, high winds could make it feel as cold as 35 degrees below zero around Boston, according to the National Weather Service. The  Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency calls the conditions "potentially life threatening" and encourages people to wear proper clothing outside to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. The agency is also warning of carbon monoxide dangers from alternative heating sources and cautioning against using blow torches to thaw frozen pipes.

The extreme cold has also caused electrical outages in Lynn, Massachusetts. Authorities say about 8,000 residents are without power. A National Grid spokeswoman told WCVB-TV on Sunday morning that a couple of transformers went down because they tripped on low oil due to the cold weather. Police are working with city officials to open a temporary shelter for residents at Lynn Classical High School.

WBUR meteorologist David Epstein joined Weekend Edition's Sharon Brody to talk about today's freezing temperatures and how to navigate the potentially dangerous conditions.

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