Brrr… Arctic Blasts

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that “arctic blasts” will hit Boston this weekend. Is it just me, or is meteorological terminology super scary this winter? “Arctic blast” sounds more like a video game villain’s special power than it does a weather condition.

They might as well say something like: “This weekend, you should look out for periods of white death falling from the sky, followed by murder pellets. If you’re walking or driving, be careful–the sidewalks and pavement are covered in slippery demise.”

Since I had the great pleasure of walking all over the city today, I thought it might be interesting see how temperatures are fairing so far. It isn’t particularly pretty:

This map lists the apparent temperatures (or how cold it felt) at 10 a.m. today. In cold weather, apparent temperatures are derived from a combination of actual degrees Fahrenheit and wind chill. Click to enlarge.

If you’re hanging around New England this weekend and plan to be outdoors, be sure to bundle up and grab your copy of the Health and Safety Program Manual from McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (The manual should help keep you out of harm’s way–it’s required reading for all visitors to McMurdo who intend to venture out into the snowy wilderness.)