The coldest air in two years is arriving in the tri-state area -- and forecasters say it's not expected to move out any time soon.
A deep freeze descended on the region following a mild weekend, along with a weak winter storm that dumped more than 3 inches of snow on Long Island overnight Monday. The peak of the "cold wave" is expected to chill the tri-state area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as low temperatures plunge into the lower single digits north and west of the city and to the low teens in the city.
Brutal wind chills are expected to compound the frigidity. Forecasters say wind chills below zero are possible Wednesday morning, so it could feel like negative 25 degrees outside.
While this week brings a nasty punch of cold weather, temperatures will not get close to record cold. Record lows this time of year are zero degrees or below in the city, and base temperatures this week aren't expected to fall below the teens.
Forecasters expect day temperatures to linger in the mid 20s through the rest of the week, with overnight temperatures dropping lower.
Such temperatures can be dangerous, so tri-state residents are advised to heed certain cold weather tips, including wearing mittens, which keep extremities warmer than gloves, covering one's mouth to protect the lungs from the bitter cold air, layering loose-fitting, warm clothing and wearing a hat, because 40 percent of heat is lost through the head, Storm Team 4 says.
Storm Team 4 is tracking another winter storm later in the week that could bring rain, snow or both forms of precipitation depending on track and temperatures. At this point, forecasters say there's a chance for at least a few inches of snow accumulation in and around the city late Friday into early Saturday.
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