Winter Storm Neptune's Wind Threat: Power Outages, Dangerous Wind Chills on the Way

Chrissy Warrilow
Published: February 13,2015



 
All eyes are set on the copious amounts of snow that Winter Storm Neptune will dump on Boston this weekend. But there there is another threat that will affect a much wider portion of the Northeast and extend as far south as the Mid-Atlantic. It's the wind.
(MORE: Winter Storm Neptune Forecast)

Wind Gusts

Above is a snapshot of peak wind gusts for Sunday afternoon. As the storm intensifies rapidly just off the Eastern Seaboard, wind gusts will reach at least 50 mph from most of Maine south into Boston as well as Atlantic City, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. High wind watches have been posted for Saturday night through Sunday afternoon for the New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas, as shown below.
These winds are likely to cause some tree damage and power outages. See below for more on the power outage risk.
A few hurricane-force wind gusts are possible for Nantucket and Cape Cod. Coupled with the heavy snow anticipated from Winter Storm Neptune, blizzard or "white out" conditions are likely for these regions, resulting in little to no visibility for anyone caught outside in the storm and increasing the risk of cold-weather emergencies due to disorientation and the inability to find shelter.
(MORE: Blizzard Facts vs Myths | How to Survive a Blizzard)
While the winds may diminish in intensity further south and west of the focal point of the storm, the winds still won't be anything to sneeze at. Syracuse and Buffalo will experience wind gusts of at least 35 mph, and blustery conditions will occur as far south as the mountains of North Carolina. Any snow that falls in these regions will also be blown around, producing reduced visibilities as well as snow drifts that may impede efforts to maintain clear roadways.

Wind Chills

With such strong winds blowing into the region, brutally cold temperatures will be pulled into New England south into Washington, D.C. and the Delmarva.
(MORE: Arctic Blast Brings Coldest Temperatures of the Season)
In fact, Sunday could be the coldest day of this season for many in the Northeast, and depending on how fast temperatures fall Saturday night, New York could have its coldest day in over two decades. Once you factor in the howling northwest winds, subzero wind chills will be a reality for much of the region.
The worst of the wind chills will actually be experienced farther west than Winter Storm Neptune's center of circulation, and instead will impact the eastern Great Lakes where "feels like" temperatures will plummet to as much as 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Exposure to wind chill values of this magnitude for greater than 30 minutes will produce the risk of frostbite as well as hypothermia.
(WATCH: Understanding Wind Chill)

Power Outages

Given the sheer strength of Winter Storm Neptune and the impressive wind gusts  it will create over a large region, the threat of widespread power outages due to downed trees and powerlines is significant this weekend.
Once power is out, crews will have to fight the storm to restore electricity and maintain electric-heating elements in businesses and residences. Be sure to have a plan in place at your home or business in the event that power goes out. Consider extra precautions for those most vulnerable to the cold, including the elderly and those with limited mobility.
Bottom line: The combination of very strong winds and brutally cold air will create dangerous conditions for anyone caught unprepared outdoors or even inside.
Prepare now to prevent a potentially life-threatening situation. If using a generator for backup power, remember to use the generator outside, away from your home or building, in order to prevent death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
(Winter Storm Safety: Surviving the Storm)
MORE: Winter Storm Marcus in Pictures