Arctic Blast Hits Tri-State Area

B-R-R-R-R-R-R-RUTAL! Winter is here with a vengeance, with the coldest air in two years dropping in and real-feel temperatures dipping into bone-numbing single digits.

Forecasters predict below-average temperatures in the 20s for the highs and the teens for the lows through Sunday, with a possible snowstorm thrown into the mix Friday. It’s expected to feel like a teeth-chattering 7 degrees Wednesday, and 12 Thursday.

“Compared to how the winter has been so far, these temperatures certainly have a lot of shock value,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

The normal high for this time in January is 38 degrees, with a low of 27. The deep freeze will last until Sunday, when the mercury climbs back to a more reasonable 30 degrees. As for snow, the current forecast is for 1 to 3 inches on Friday in the city. Forecasters say the area from New York City through southern and eastern New England could see anything from just a “spotty light accumulation to an all out blizzard” from two storms converging.

Health experts advise people, especially the elderly and very young stay indoors during the cold snap. Those going outside should wear several layers.

Francine Oscar, 71, who came to town to see her son in a Broadway show, fled the Big Apple on Tuesday afternoon for her Maryland home.

“When I pull the car into my garage, I’m not coming out again until May,” she said.