A strong arctic cold wave hit the northeastern United States. Record low temperatures have been recorded across the United States, and human casualties have occurred, including the death of an infant.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press on the 4th (local time), the perceived temperature on top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, recorded -78 degrees Celsius that day. Even the maximum temperature reached minus 44 degrees Celsius, and strong winds blew approaching 160 km per hour.
The Mount Washington Observatory, a non-profit organization in the United States, released a webcam video taken inside the mountain. In the video, the blizzard raged so much that it was impossible to see in front of you.
In Hampden, Massachusetts, a fallen tree hit a car in strong winds, killing a baby inside. The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
In addition, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced that the lowest temperature recorded in Boston was minus 23 degrees Celsius, breaking the lowest ever set 100 years ago. Providence, Rhode Island, also recorded a record low of 23 degrees below zero.
The NWS warned that exposure to such weather “can cause frostbite within five minutes.” He also said cold weather gear could be dangerous if not properly prepared.
This cold wave came from the Arctic through eastern Canada. This is the influence of the arctic front formed by the meeting of the arctic air mass and the polar air mass. As a result, several cities in the northeastern United States, including Rochester, New York and Worcester, Massachusetts, are experiencing record-breaking cold waves.
However, the NWS expects this cold wave to be short-lived. The maximum temperature in Boston on the 5th is forecast to rise to 8 degrees.
