“Coldest Air Since 2016” Coming to RI Friday, Says National Weather Service
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Rhode Island and parts of Southern New England for Friday into Saturday.
NWS says it will be the "coldest air since 2016."
AAA on Tuesday offered tips to make sure cars -- and car batteries -- work during the frigid temps (see below)
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Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
419 AM EST Tue Jan 31 2023
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-RIZ001>008-010930-
Hartford CT-Tolland CT-Windham CT-Western Franklin MA-Eastern Franklin MA-Northern Worcester MA-Central Middlesex MA-Western Essex MA-Eastern Essex MA-Western Hampshire MA-Western Hampden MA-Eastern Hampshire MA-Eastern Hampden MA-Southern Worcester MA-Western Norfolk MA-Southeast Middlesex MA-Suffolk MA-Eastern Norfolk MA-Northern Bristol MA-Western Plymouth MA-Eastern Plymouth MA-Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Dukes MA-Nantucket MA-Northern Middlesex MA-Northwest Providence RI-Southeast Providence RI-Western Kent RI-Eastern Kent RI-Bristol RI- Washington RI-Newport RI-Block Island RI-
419 AM EST Tue Jan 31 2023
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Connecticut, all of
Massachusetts east of Berkshire County, and Rhode Island.
.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.
Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.
A dangerously cold airmass will overspread the region late Friday
into Saturday with the coldest air since February 2016.
Temperatures Predicted
This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. North wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 33. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind 3 to 6 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Light west wind becoming southwest 9 to 14 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Southwest wind 14 to 16 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 28. Blustery, with a northwest wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -6. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Car Tips
On Tuesday AAA New England issued the following:
Frigid temperatures are headed this way, possibly affecting vehicles both during the upcoming weekend and next Monday morning after cars have sat idle for a few days.
- A strong, fully charged battery is important – if your vehicle battery is more than five years old it may need a replacement.
- If you don’t drive often, drive the car for at least 30 minutes this week. It won’t fully charge the battery but it will help.
- When you first get in the car make sure all the lights and other accessories are off.
- Turn the key to the “on” position and wait a couple of seconds, then crank the engine.
- If the engine doesn’t start in 10-15 seconds, stop, rest and try again.
Once the car is started it is not necessary to warm it up for more than the time it takes to put on your seat belt, adjust the heat and radio. Then drive gently until you feel the heat coming from the climate control. Allowing the car to sit and warm up only warms the engine, not the brakes, suspension, or transmission.
If you own an electric car, cold weather range can be reduced up to 50 percent. To maximize range in cold weather:
- Warm the battery while it is plugged in, so it will accept a charge more efficiently. During cold weather preconditioning also increases your EV range because the battery will be warmed up to its best operating temperature.
- Warm the vehicle cabin while the car is plugged in.
- Depending on the vehicle, the seat heaters may be more efficient than the heater.
- Drive at moderate speeds.
