Today's Weather: Arctic Air Mass Brings Record Cold Temperatures

It may be time to break out your winter coat this morning, as what feels like a January air mass has hit us here in November.

Temperatures today will be at least 20 degrees below what they would typically be in the middle of November. The average high temperature in January is in the lower 30s, and that's as warm as it will get this afternoon. We will set a new record for the coldest high temperature on this day in Boston.

Strangely enough, the record low temperature in Boston this morning is actually a degree colder than in Worcester (14 degrees vs. 15 degrees), which we don't see very much. If Worcester officially does drop under 15 degrees, then that would be a new record as well.

This arctic air mass is quite expansive, with scores of records tumbling in many parts of the country over the past 24 hours. More records will fall today. In Chicago Tuesday, the high temperature was 17 degrees, obliterating the previous coldest high there for the date of 28 degrees. Last year, an arctic air mass came through the region just before Thanksgiving, and it was unusually cold as well.

In summer, we talked about the humidity more than the heat and in winter, it’s all about the wind rather than the temperature. Today, that wind is going to make it feel very chilly, especially this morning when wind chill readings will be just a few degrees above zero.

We are going to see a moderation in temperature for tomorrow, with readings getting back toward 40 degrees. Without the wind, it will feel a lot better. It turns even milder for Friday, with readings near 50 degrees.

Looking ahead toward Saturday, I do expect another quick shot of arctic air, with readings staying in the low to mid-30s all afternoon. More seasonable weather follows.

You can follow my updates here and on Twitter @growingwisdom.

Wednesday: Lots of sunshine. Blustery highs only around 32. Wind chill in the single numbers this morning.

Thursday: Not as cold. More clouds with some breaks. Highs 33-39.

Friday: Sunshine, some clouds. Highs 43-49.

Saturday: Lots of sunshine. Highs approaching 35.

Sunday: Clouds, some sun possible. Highs within a few degrees of 41.