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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Wind chills of -30 are coming to Boston. Here's how to prepare
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
Do the Red Sox have any more room in those trucks? Because I would also like to sneak away to Florida today.
It’s about to get real cold here in New England.
We’re talking actual temperatures in the negative single, if not double, digits tonight — and the blustery winds will make it feel more like -30 or lower. In parts of northern New Hampshire and Maine, the wind chills are expected to plummet below -50.
Here’s the timing of the lowest wind chills across Massachusetts. (Also, ever wonder how wind chill is calculated? This chart explains.)
The faint silver lining here is we should have double-digit temps through this morning, so there’s still time to prepare before it’s so cold it feels like your face will fall off. Here are some things to know:
For when you’re going out: Try to be home for the coldest hours overnight; meteorologist Danielle Noyes says wind chills this low can cause frostbite in as little as 15 minutes. But if you plan to be out, cover up as much as possible. Wear layers of loose-fighting clothing, a hat and some mittens (which are better than gloves in the cold). Read more tips here from a dogsled musher on how to stay warm in the extreme cold.
- Prepare your car: AAA spokeswoman Mary Maguire says batteries that are over five years old (or maybe infrequently used, if you’re working from home) face a real risk of dying due to the cold.
- You can check your battery to see if it’s OK by requesting a mobile test from AAA or taking your car to an auto shop. Maguire also suggests simply taking your car out for a 30 minute drive early today if it’s been sitting around.
- More suggestions if you’re driving: Pack a winter emergency kit with things like blankets, flashlights and jumper cables. And check your tires to make sure they’re properly inflated.
For when you’re home: Don’t feel too guilty about turning up the heat. The Department of Public Utilities ordered energy companies in Massachusetts to lower their natural gas rates, effective this past Wednesday. That means the average gas customer should see a 4-5% decrease in their next monthly utility bill in March. (National Grid says that translates to a savings of about $11 per month.) WBUR’s Miriam Wasser has more details on the DPU’s decision here.
- Prepare your house: Check out this guide on how to prevent and address frozen pipes, as well as keep your rooms warm.
- Be a good neighbor: Officials across the region are urging residents to check in on the elderly during the cold snap.
- Last but not least: Don’t forget your pets. As the state website notes: “If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pets.”
Boston Public Schools is calling a snow day of sorts (a cold day?) since many students walk or have to wait outside for public transportation in order to get to class. That also means BPS’s deadline for Round 1 priority school registration will be extended to Monday. WBUR’s Max Larkin has more info here.
- Worcester and Springfield public schools are also closed today. WCVB has a full list of school cancellations here.
- Woburn schools remain closed due to the ongoing teachers’ strike. But union leaders are optimistic that classes might resume Monday after making “significant progress” at the bargaining table Thursday.
Meanwhile, local leaders are mobilizing to ensure no one is spending the night out in the cold. WBUR’s Irina Matchavariani reports that Boston’s largest homeless shelter, Pine Street Inn, expects to surpass its usual capacity of 500 beds. Gov. Maura Healey has also ordered South Station to stay open 24/7 this weekend. (The station recently faced criticism for locking out the homeless on cold nights.)
- What can you do? Donate warm clothes. Pine Street spokeswoman Barbara Trevisan says people without homes are often in distress and refuse to spend nights in the shelter. So, they’re looking for simple donations like socks, hats and gloves — or maybe even mittens. And be sure to call 911 if you see anyone experiencing homelessness outside in frigid conditions.
P.S.— Do you know what activity was legalized in Massachusetts this week? Then take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of the local stories we covered this week.
