Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Western Essex, New York

2026-01-23 to 2026-01-25 · Western Essex, New York

Event narrative

Actual air temperatures of 10 to 20 below zero combined with winds to create wind chill values of 20 to 40 below zero during the night of January 23rd into the morning hours of January 24th. Morning low temperatures on January 25th were 10 to 20 below zero with light winds creating colder wind chill values.

Wider weather episode

An arctic front moved across NY and northern New England on January 23rd with sub-zero temperatures (5 to 25 below zero) and brisk winds to create dangerous wind chills of 25 to 40 below zero across the region for the overnight of January 23rd into the morning hours of January 24th. Very strong arctic high pressure across the region during the night of January 24th allowed for more sub-zero temperatures (15 to 25 below zero) across the region but winds were calm or light.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1301438. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.