Event Summary

On 1/29/2026, an extreme cold outbreak tied to a broader January–February 2026 North American cold wave brought dangerously low temperatures across the eastern United States, including the New York City region, as Arctic air entrenched itself and pushed temperatures far below seasonal norms. This frigid blast followed a major winter storm and led to bitter conditions with wind chills that at times made areas like NYC feel colder than parts of Antarctica, marking some of the coldest weather the Northeast had seen in decades and contributing to prolonged sub-freezing stretches that rivaled historic cold snaps in local records. The severe chill created widespread risks of hypothermia and frostbite, stressed infrastructure, and extended hazardous travel conditions as residents endured temperatures and “feels like” readings well below average for late January.